BOX SCORE
BISMARCK, N.D. – Minot State finally got the elusive win in set 5.
The Beavers, winless in three tries in the fifth and deciding set, earned a huge 15-12 win over the University in set 5 to take a 3-2 win over the Marauders in nonconference NCAA Division II women's volleyball Tuesday at the McDowell Activity Center.
“It is certainly nice to get that first win in the fifth,” said MSU head coach
Travis Ward. “It has hard to believe in yourself until you the first one.”
The Beavers fell behind to their future Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival losing both set 1 (25-19) and set 3 (25-22) before rallying in sets 2 (25-19) and set 4 (25-21). The win in set 4 helped give MSU a little confidence heading into the final set.
“Winning the fourth was definitely a big confidence boost, but we were down 8-4 in the final,” Ward said. “We got it back tied and gave ourselves a chance to win it. We did a great job at the end of the match and didn't make a lot of mistakes. This was a big win for us.”
Not only did the Beavers give Ward his first five-set win as the Beavers head coach, but also pulled to .500 on the season, evening their mark at 6-6 overall.
The Beavers held the lead early on, but Mary (2-12 overall, 1-4 NSIC) rallied to take the first behind solid hitting. The Marauders pounded 14 kills on 24 attempts in set 1.
MSU's rally in the match coincided with their rally in the hitting game. After struggling to a .148 hitting percentage in set one, MSU never hit lower than .250 and had a solid .474 percentage in the final set. The Beavers had 10 kills on 19 attacks with just one error.
“We believed in the system down the stretch,” Ward said.
MSU got a huge night offensively from
Jen Dixon (So., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) who finished with a match-high 22 kills.
Janice Rose Reinbolt (Sr., MH, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) added 14 kills.
“Jen had another big night for us. She was a .160 hitter last year and we got her up to .220,” said Ward. “We think she will be a .330 kid before she is done.”
“Moffitt finished with double figure digs for the first time this year. Some of the credit for that has to go to the team,” Ward said. “Defensively we kept putting the ball back in play.”
U-Mary had four players in double figure kills, paced by Julie Paradine's 13. Lauren Boldt (12), Allison Opp (11) and Allison Adams (10) all had double digit kills.
“We both are new, they have a second year coach and we are brand new, and both have something to prove in the NSIC,” Ward said. “This won't be a fun trip in the future and that is a credit to Mary.”
MSU stays on the road for a Friday matchup with Jamestown College.
– GO BEAVERS –
