MARSHALL, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead volleyball held up well in an NSIC road match Friday night. The Dragons were competitive throughout, but fell to eighth-ranked Southwest Minnesota State in three sets. 

Set scores: 25-20, 25-14, 26-24
 
Southwest Minnesota State would jump out to a quick 11-4 lead to begin he first set. The Dragons committed three errors in the early stages while the eighth-ranked Mustangs settled into their offense. Moorhead would try to claw back into the match, but SMSU would keep their lead at seven points despite a pair of kills from Raiah Mandell. 
 
It was the Dragon defense that brought them back into the set as Brielle Riess and Mya Pfeifer would team up for back-to-back blocks. Jocelin Feutz would stamp a kill to cut the deficit to four points (18-14). Mandell would get the Dragons to within three points, forcing a Mustang timeout with the score 21-18. Maci Martini would put down a fierce kill out of the break to get Moorhead to within two points. However, Southwest Minnesota State would score the set's final three rallies, claiming the frame, 25-20. Southwest Minnesota State would control action in the second set, quickly building a five-point advantage. The Mustangs would hold the set throughout, winning the frame, 25-14. 
 
The Mustangs would continue their hot streak to begin the third set, racing out to a 7-2 lead. However, MSUM would respond, eventually tying the set thanks to a kill from Martini. The Dragons would regain control of the scoreboard thanks to a run of eight straight points, capped by an ace from Amanda Lisi. Moorhead would lead by as many as four points, before the Mustangs climbed back to tie the frame again. 
 
MSUM would race towards set point, holding a 24-22 lead. Southwest Minnesota State would rally back to tie the match at 24 points, forcing a Dragons timeout. Out of the break, the home team would score two straight points to steal the frame. 
 
Top Dragons

• Raiah Mandell: Nine kills
• Brielle Riess: Six kills, eight digs, two total blocks
• Leah Laqua: Six kills, three total blocks
• Maci Martini: Eight kills, one total block

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (8-4, 2-2 NSIC) will look towards a match against Sioux Falls tomorrow afternoon with first serve set for 2 p.m.