Box Score MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State volleyball team dropped the first set to the University of Mary, but won three straight to win their second match in Northern Sun Play.

The Beavers (6-6 overall, 2-1 NSIC) defeated their bitter rival University of Mary (3-7 overall, 0-3 NSIC) Tuesday night in front of 485 fans, 17-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-21.

To start the set, Minot State came out slow; making numerous physical and mental errors. The Beavers made six hitting errors and two service errors as the Marauders rolled over the Beavers in set one.

But then Minot State started to make some plays.

In set two, the numbers don't show a huge offensive turnover as MISU hit just .172, but the Beavers forced U-Mary to change their game it deemed successful.

"I think we just started making plays," said Minot State head coach Travis Ward. "We were getting hit with balls and not making plays in that first set and in the second set we started making those plays. Ashely (Ashley Heavenor, So., L, Cochrane, Alberta) had a great dig when we were up about four. It was right down the line and it was a huge dig and kind of match-turning for us."

In sets three and four, the Minot State offensive attack was too much for the Marauders to handle as they hit .393 and .438 to close the match. Five MISU players had nine or more kills, the most effectual were sophomores Erin Davis (So., MH, Strathmore, Alberta) and Tarah Dabovich (So., MH, Phoenix, Ariz.).

Davis hit a team-high .500 from the floor with nine kills and also collected four blocks on the night while Dabovich had 11 kills on a .444 hitting percentage while also adding a solo block.

"We watched film on U-Mary and we noticed they like to creep up on us," said Dabovich. "So we started learning this past week how to hit deep lines and I think that really worked in our favor."

Emily Byrne (Jr., S, Reno, Nev.) attained another 45 assists on the night while dishing to a plethora of hitters. Mallory Sall (So., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia ), Jen Dixon (Jr. OH, Brandon, Manitoba) and Lauren Dunkle (Fr., OH, Aurora, Colo.) all combined for 36 kills in the win.

University of Mary was led by Alexis Jacobs who had 13 kills in their third consecutive NSIC loss.

Minot State will now prepare for one of the toughest road trips in all of the NSIC and NCAA Division II volleyball as they travel to face nationally ranked No. 8 Wayne State College (9-2 overall, 1-2 NSIC) on Friday Sept. 27 and then Augustana College (9-2 overall, 1-2 NSIC) on Saturday Sept. 28.

"We are excited for those matches," said Ward. "All the pressure is on those other teams and we just have to come in and play our game. I am excited to see where we at compared to those teams."