Box Score MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State University volleyball team came within a few points of picking up their first ever Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory.

Unfortunately, the Beavers couldn't put it all together as they fell in five sets to St. Cloud State University, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-13, Friday night at the MSU Dome.

“I was proud of the way we performed tonight,” said MISU head coach Travis Ward. “With all of the injuries and other things that have happened this season, I am happy with way our team has reacted. We just aren't doing enough to get that win.”

Minot State (4-14 overall 0-8 NSIC) looked sluggish in set one as St. Cloud State (6-11 overall 2-6 NSIC) cruised to an easy 1-0 lead with a 25-16 performance. Ellie Dietzen led the Huskies in the set with six kills and 16 for the entire match. Jordan Hansen also played well for SCSU totaling 13 kills and 13 digs overall.

The rest of the match would be no cake-walk, as Minot State battled back in game two with an impressive 25-23 win to even things up before intermission.

After trading sets three and four, it all came down to a deciding set five.

MISU fell behind early, but showed resilience to come back from a 14-9 deficit. Freshman Mallory Sall (OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) showed boldness attacking SCSU with powerful jump serves, picking up two of her team-high four aces over the final four points. But it was not enough to give the Beavers their first conference win as they fell in set five 15-13.

“Mallory really attacked them hard at the end,” said Ward. “It was encouraging to see us give it all we had until the very end. We just need to tighten a few things in our game and be ready to get after it tomorrow.”

Sall led the Beavers with a double-double, 21 kills and 10 digs while Senior Shari Hewson (MH, New England, N.D.) also notched a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Setter Emily Byrne (So., Reno, Nev.) also played well for MISU dishing out 42 assists while also getting a team high 15 digs.

The Beavers will look to upset #3 University of Minnesota, Duluth Saturday afternoon as they take the court at 3 p.m. at the MSU Dome.