Aberdeen, S.D. (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University volleyball team battled and rallied back against the top team in NCAA Division II volleyball on Friday, falling in five sets to No. 1 Wayne State College. In front of 1,358 fans the Wolves played one of their best matches of the season, recording match highs in digs, assists, and aces.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 2, WSC 3
Records: NSU 15-5 (7-4 NSIC), WSC 20-1 (11-0 NSIC)
Attendance: 1358
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was an exciting first set with Wayne edging a 28-26 victory, followed up by a 25-20 Wildcat victory in set two
- Northern stormed back with 25-20 and 25-21 victories in sets three and four, forcing the decisive frame
- The Wolves led 8-7 at the set break, however ultimately fell 15-12 as the Wildcats tallied 12 kills to the Wolves seven
- Each team recorded 65 kills with Northern adding 90 digs, 61 assists, 14 blocks, and seven aces
- Wayne State hit .203 in the match, including a match high .375 in the fifth set, while the Wolves hit .154 overall and .333 in the fourth set
- Hanna Thompson had a career evening with a team leading 25 kills, followed by Natalia Szybinska with 19
- Abby Meister touched all corners of the court for NSU averaging a match leading 7.00 digs per set with 35 total, followed by Keri Walker with 17, as well as 54 assists
- Despite a slow night offensive, Eliza Bauers racked up a career high eight blocks, leading six Wolves with three blocks or more
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Hanna Thompson: 25 kills, .267 attack%, 3 blocks
- Natalia Szybinska: 19 kills, .241 attack%, 4 digs, 3 blocks
- Keri Walker: 54 assists, 17 digs, 5 blocks, 3 aces
- Abby Meister: 35 digs, 1 assist
- Sara Moberg: 13 digs, 4 assists, 2 aces
- Eliza Bauers: 8.0 blocks, 3 kills, 2 digs
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Aberdeen, S.D. (NSUWolves.com) – After a Friday night gauntlet with the Wildcats, the Northern State University volleyball team swept Sioux Falls from Wachs Arena. NSU downed USF with set scores of 25-21, 25-18, and 25-20. Heading into the final three weeks of the regular season, the Wolves sit fifth in the NSIC standings.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 3, USF 0
Records: NSU 16-5 (8-4 NSIC), USF 9-12 (5-7 NSIC)
Attendance: 1358
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern buzzed through Sioux Falls hitting a match high .258 with 42 kills, 41 assists, 54 digs, 11 blocks, and seven aces
- The Cougars edged the Wolves by one to lead the contest in kills, however recorded eight more attack errors forced by the Northern defense
- Hanna Thompson led the Wolves offense with 11 kills, while Natalia Szybinska and Morissen Samuels followed with nine a piece
- Keri Walker led the defense with 11 digs and six blocks, with Eliza Bauers matching her block total
- Walker dished out 38 assists, averaging 12.67 per set, bringing her career total over the 3000 mark with 3,026 total
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Hanna Thompson: 11 kills, .286 attack%, 2 digs
- Morissen Samuels: 9 kills, .320 attack%, 5 digs
- Keri Walker: 38 assists, 11 digs, 6 blocks, 3 aces
- Eliza Bauers: 6 blocks, 5 kills, .385 attack%, 3 digs
- Abby Meister: 9 digs, 2 aces
UP NEXT
The Wolves travel to Southwest Minnesota State and Augustana next Friday and Saturday. Serve times are set for 6 p.m. on Friday in Marshall and 2 p.m. on Saturday in Sioux Falls.