MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minot State University volleyball program finished off a long and tough week with a solid performance against host Minnesota State Moorhead, but did not pick up a win here Saturday.
MSU dropped the opening match of the day 3-0 to Northern State University (S.D.) and fell 3-1 to the Dragons, but played a solid final match.
“After a tough week and a hard time getting back into things, I'm happy with how we played against MSU-M,” said Beavers head coach Johnna Torr. “When we play in control and with focus, we are a tough team.”
The Beavers (1-11 overall) played their best volleyball of the two-day tournament in game 1 of the MSU-M game, racing out to a 25-17 win. The Dragons (4-4 overall) got back into the match with a 25-15 win in game 2. Pivotal game 3 saw MSU-M hold off a late charge with a 25-19 win and the Dragons closed things out with a 25-12 win in game 4.
Hitting errors were the key for the Beavers as they only had three in game 1. MSU finished with 21 for the match.
Jen Dixon (Fr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) and Janice-Rose Reinbolt (Jr., MH, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) finished with 13 and 12 kills respectively to lead MSU. Reinbolt had just one error in 22 attacks and finished with five block assists. Abbey Aide (So., Setter, Bottineau, N.D.) dished out 34 assists and tied Jenna Moffatt (Fr., Libero, Brandon, Manitoba) with a team-high 13 digs. Redshirt freshman Sara Friesen (MH, Brandon, Manitoba) continued to come on strong with nine kills and a dig.
“We need to find consistency in our aggressiveness,” Torr added.
Against Northern State, MSU never got things going as they lost all three games 25-16. No Beavers player reached double figures in kills as Dixon and Reinbolt finished with eight each. Aide led MSU with 21 assists, seven digs and an ace for MSU. Pacing the defense was Dixon who had a match-high 17 digs.
The Beavers finally get a chance to defend home court Thursday as they play Briercrest College (Saskatchewan) in a nonconference match at the MSU Dome. Game time is set for 7 p.m. MSU also gets its first chance at a Dakota Athletic Conference opponent as they travel to Valley City State and Jamestown Friday and Saturday to open conference play.
