MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State University volleyball team had another close game slip through their hands Friday night in their home opener against Minnesota State University. The Mavericks won the match in five sets, 3-2.

"We earned it tonight," Minot State head coach Travis Ward said. "We needed a little bit of luck to go our way and it didn't happen. I just reiterated to [the team] how proud I am of what they did tonight, who they were with each other, who they were as a team, and it's hard to continue to play with that kind of compassion and heart."

The Mavericks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after winning a very tight first game that ended 29-27 in favor of Minnesota State. The Beavers had a game-point opportunity four different times in the set but were unable to close.

Minot State stayed strong, though, taking the second set 25-20 and followed it up with a strong 25-16 win in the third set.

Despite ending the match with a .141 hitting percentage, Minnesota State proved why they're one of the best teams in the NSIC. They won the following two sets as they closed out the match 25-22 in the fourth set and 15-13 in the fifth.

Tarah Dabovich (Jr., MH, Phoenix, Ariz.) had one of her best games of the season for the Beavers in the setback. The junior recorded 15 kills and boasted a .333 hitting percentage.

With the loss, the Beavers drop to 3-10 overall and 1-4 in the NSIC. According to Ward, the team just needs to keep fighting.

"You've got to play the same way night in and night out," Ward said. "The Northern Sun's built to be heartbreaking matches. That's how this conference is."

The Mavericks (8-4, 4-1) were paced by Chandra Honebrink's 18 kills, while Ellie Van De Steeg had a match-high 52 assists in the win.

Leading in kills for the Beavers was Jen Dixon (Sr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) with 16, while Mallory Sall (Jr., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) smacked 13 as the Beavers had three players in double figure kills. Emily Byrne (Sr., S, Reno, Nev.) paced MISU with 44 assists, while Cindy Pelo (Jr., L, Idaho Falls, Idaho) led the team with 18 digs.

The Beavers will look to break a four-game skid tomorrow night when No. 3 ranked Concordia-St. Paul visits the MSU Dome. Game time is set for 6 p.m.