Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Another nationally ranked opponent traveled to the Magic City Saturday evening for a Northern Sun volleyball match.

Again, it was a new conference foe, the Minnesota State University Mavericks, defeating the Beavers in straight sets 25-13, 25-21, 25-19.

The Mavericks were led by outside hitter Chelsea Fogarty with 16 kills and 8 digs overall. Setter Ellie Van De Steeg also played well for MSU, distributing 38 assists in the match.

Minnesota State (14-5 overall 8-3 NSIC) exhibited authority in the first set, but Minot State (4-17 overall 0-11 NSIC) showed glimpses of excellence throughout the rest of the match. Freshman middle hitters Tarah Dabovich (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Erin Davis (Strathmore, Alberta) each played effective, hitting .308 and .444, respectively.

“We are having success when we get our middles the ball,” said Beaver head coach Travis Ward. “We need to get them more touches moving forward. When we can pass well to set them up, it helps tremendously. We just need to focus on putting all of it together for an entire match.”

Freshman Mallory Sall (OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) led MISU in the match with 11 kills. Emily Byrne (So., S, Reno, Nev.) dished out 28 assists in the loss.

“We did a good job against great competition this weekend,” said Ward. “We are becoming more fun to watch as we take these teams deeper into sets. Unfortunately tonight, we just ran into a bad stretch at the end of each set and couldn't come up with a win.”

Minot State will play host to in-state and conference rival University of Mary on Tuesday Oct. 16. The Beavers will look to take their first NSIC win versus the Marauders, game time is set for 7 p.m.