Box Score MAYVILLE, N.D. – The Minot State middle hitters were efficient with the ball Wednesday night and according to head coach Travis Ward, efficiency in the middle translates to wins.

The box score would agree as the Beavers (2-3 overall, 0-0 NSIC) took down the Mayville State University Comets (3-10 overall) in four sets, 25-20, 17-25. 25-21, 25-21.

Tarah Dabovich (So., MH, Phoenix, Ariz.) and Kelsey Wingo (Sr. MH, Twain Harte, Calif.) dominated the middle for MISU. The duo combined for 22 kills using just 34 attacks. Dabovich also added three solo blocks and one block assisted while Wingo contributed with a solo block.

"Anytime you get the middle involved, it means your passers did an excellent job," said Ward. "Passing and hitting was fantastic and they (Dabovich and Wingo) were able to take more swings than they had previous to this."

The outside hitters also performed at a high rate for the Beavers, as Jen Dixon (Jr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) led the team with 14 kills while Mallory Sall (So., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) added 12 kills.

After winning the first set, Minot State looked sluggish in set two as they lost 17-25. In the second set, the Beavers only hit .152 while allowing the Comets to regain their confidence as they hit a match high .267.

However, the Beavers battled back with two nice sets to win the match 3-1.

"The second set was an wake up for us," said Ward. "Mayville did a nice job of competing tonight and did well in front of their crowd. Our group just controlled the game from the game on. We are getting better at that every night."

Minot State used two setters against the Comets, as Emily Byrne (Jr. S, Reno, Nev.) and Brooke French (Fr., S, Lethbridge, Alberta) split time facilitating the ball to teammates. Byrne ended the night with a team-high 31 assists while French wasn't far behind with 23 assists.

"We are finally starting to put the numbers up between Emily and Brooke that we need to do to win matches," said Ward. "Emily's experience is helping Brooke and the two are really working well together. Brooke has settled in nice as a freshman and I think we are going to see more of this moving forward."

Defensively, Alex Boutin (Fr., L, Parker, Colo.) collected 16 digs in the win. Boutin adds another impressive performance to her young collegiate career. She has averaged 13.2 digs in her first five matches as a Beaver.

Minot State will continue their tour south as they head to Sioux Falls, S.D. to take part in the eight-team NSIC Challenge Tournament. MISU will open play against Northwest Missouri State University on Friday Sept. 13 at 11:30 a.m.