Volleyball Drops First NSIC Match of the Season
MARSHALL, Minn. - The Northern State volleyball team (5-4, 0-1 NSIC) met up with their first NSIC opponent of the season, a #21st-ranked Southwest Minnesota State (10-2, 1-0 NSIC). The Wolves managed to take one game from the Mustangs, but dropped the match 3-1. NSU struggled offensively, posting a match hitting average far below the .100 level. SMSU did not swing their best, either, but hit .227 on the match.
The firepower of the SMSU roster overtook the Wolves in the first two games of the match, with NSU losing 20-30 and 17-30. In those matches, the team failed to post a positive hitting figure. NSU was down, but not out, however. Improved hitting mixed with strong blocking and digging resulted in the team rebounding to take the third game of the match by a score of 30-26. They would fall in the fourth and final game, 21-30, resulting in the first conference loss of the season.
Outside hitter Odemaris Diaz was the only NSU player to finish the match with double digit kills, totalling 13 on the day. Melanie Perez led the team with 20 digs, while Kellie Heier had 25 assists. On the blocking front, Jill Rasmussen came up with one solo block and six assists, followed by Heather Pudwill with one solo and five assists.
NSU hit .031 on the match, while SMSU hit .227. Erin Contons had 20 kills, followed by Megan Wendorff with 19. Four Mustangs had 10+ digs.
The Wolves continue conference play at the SMSU Invite on Saturday, as they take on Winona State at 2:00 pm and Wayne State at 6:00 pm.
Northern State University (located in Aberdeen, SD) is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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