SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead volleyball was bested by an efficient Sioux Falls Cougar attack on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons fell in three sets in the NSIC road matchup.
An evenly matched first set would break out with the Dragons claiming a small two-point lead (7-5) following five straight points. Sioux Falls would commit five errors in the stretch with
Brielle Riess and
Leah Laqua teaming up for a block assist. MSUM would lead by one point (14-13) midway through the set before the Cougars made a run of their own. Sioux Falls scored four straight points to lead 17-14, forcing a Dragon timeout. The Cougars would claim the set by a 25-20 score.
The teams would trade punches again to begin the second set, remaining tied at 10 points before Sioux Falls created some separation again. Sioux Falls would race out to a 19-12 lead behind consistent attacks and numerous service aces. While the Dragons would try to battle back late in the set, coming within seven points (24-17) before the Coo won the frame, 25-17. The Cougars stamped an impressive .500 hitting percentage in the stanza.
Again, it was Sioux Falls who took early command of the third set despite the Dragons scoring the first two points. From there, the Cougars would build a lead as large as six points (11-5) before Riess willed MSUM back with a kill and a service ace. Another kill from Riess had the Dragons within three points (14-11) before the Coo rebuilt the lead to six.
Moorhead would be able to trim the deficit to two points (22-20) after a kill from
Jadyn Feist. Sioux Falls would score the next three points to claim the set and the match. Riess led MSUM with 12 kills and three total blocks.
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MSUM (8-5, 2-3 NSIC) returns home for a pair of matches over Homecoming weekend. The busy weekend begins for Moorhead on Friday in a 6 p.m. match against Jamestown.
