by Emily Buss
Issue date: 9/21/06
Section: Womens Sports
The Minnesota State volleyball team continued its winning streak at Bresnan Arena on Tuesday night against the No. 24-ranked Mustangs from Southwest Minnesota State, winning in only four games with scores of 30-26, 27-30, 30-22, and 30-27.
The Mavericks didn't play as sharp in Game 1 as they had in previous matches, but as the game went on, the Mavs tightened their play. MSU had numerous vital blocks that forced SMSU into missing serves, hitting out balls and dropping plays. An ace serve gave the Mavs the first game of the night with a score of 30-26.
MSU was unable to carry across another win, losing to the Mustangs 30-27 in Game 2. The Mavs had numerous kills and blocks to help keep the score close, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win.
The deciding factor in this game was SMSU outside hitter Erin Contons. The junior received more sets than any player on both teams in all four matches. She totaled 23 kills and 18 digs in the match.
"I'm a little disappointed in how we lost focus in between these games," said head coach Dennis Amundson. "We are just too good of a team to let them get the upper hand like that, but we fought our way back into every game."
The block and kill momentum continued for the rest of the match where MSU dominated scoring, ace serves, blocking and kills. Leading the Mavs in kills was senior outside hitter Cassie Wolpern, who had 16. Not far behind her was fellow senior outside hitter Mandy Reuter, who had 12. Reuter also led the team with 24 digs. These two women consistently earned crucial points for their team in leading MSU to victory. Setter Stef Sandstrom was a big part in setting up plays, tallying 47 assists.
The win was MSU's 11th of the season, and with one more victory, the Mavs will tie their win total from last season.
"We found the extra something we needed to snag this win and I'm really proud of the kids," Amundson said.
The women will play next at St. Cloud State. The match, which will be MSU's second against an NCC opponent, is set to begin at 7 p.m.
"We will hit the gym in the next few days and practice really hard. We are going to be ready for St. Cloud," Stroud said.
