Marauders Win 5-Game Battle

October 24, 2007	1	2	3	4	5
Northern State	30	30	21	27	13
University of Mary	28	22	30	30	15

Stephanie Perez had a career high 20 kills on Wednesday evening (File Photo)

October 24, 2007
BISMARCK, N.D. - The Marauders of the University of Mary overcame a 0-2 deficit and took Wednesday night's match from Northern State in five games, 28-30, 22-30, 30-21, 30-27, 15-13. Northern is now 11-12 on the season and 6-8 in the NSIC. The Marauders are 10-11 overall and 5-9 in league play.

The Wolves notched 23 kills on their way to a 30-28 game one win and kept U-Mary to a .064 hitting percentage in game two before going up two games to none. The Marauders came out of the break with red-hot hitting, downing 18 kills with just one error in the third game to gain some momentum and a 30-21 win.

The Wolves battled with UM throughout the fourth game, but errors at the net and the serving line gave the Marauders a slim 30-27 edge and sent the match into a fifth game. Despite their best efforts, late mistakes cost the Wolves the final set 15-13 and gave the University of Mary the win.

Doing the dirty work at the net for NSU was Kelsey Aden and Stephanie Perez, each of whom tallied 20 kills, a career high for Perez. Jill Rasmussen hung tough on the blocking front with five assists while Megan Gilbraith assisted on 58 of NSU's 71 kills. Stephanie Nygaard had 38 digs in the lengthy decision, followed by Perez with 28. The team hit .136 in the match and totaled 123 digs and seven blocks. They committed 11 serving errors.

Tatiani Santos came at the Wolves with 17 kills and eight block assists. Laci Murtha had 14 kills and six blocks. Leah Wesoloski also frustrated NSU hitters, assisting on seven blocks. Total, the Marauders had 14 team blocks. Their defense came up with 102 digs, including 34 from Makenzie Hennessy. U-Mary hit .174 in the match.

The Wolves will play their final home NSIC matches of the season this weekend, hosting Upper Iowa and Winona State. Friday's match will start at 7:00 pm, while Saturday's match will start at 5:00 pm