#16 Mavericks Drop Five-Set Thriller to Fifth-Rated Mustangs Saturday

Kuhl Finished with Team-best 15 Kills and .333 Hitting Percentage

Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State Volleyball, ranked 16th in the nation, dropped a five-set thriller to fifth-rated Southwest Minnesota State Saturday. The lose dropped the Mavericks to 16-7 overall and 8-7 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

The Mavericks fell short in the first two sets by scores of 21-25 and 18-25, but battle to defeat the Mustangs in the third and fourth sets, 25-20 and 25-23. MSU had the momentum heading into the deciding set, but fell short of the comeback, dropping the fifth, 9-15.

Senior middle blocker Kimber Kuhl led MSU in kills with 15 and hitting percentage with .333. Three other Mavericks tallied double-digit kills, including sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Fogarty (13), sophomore right-side hitter Megan Ysker (11) and senior outside hitter Amanda Beekman (10).

Dishing out the helpers was assists leader Brittany Stamer who passed out 48. Setting Stamer up with assists was sophomore defensive specialist Samantha Dale who tallied 31 digs, while senior middle blocker Amanda Thompson who finished with six blocks.

Devin Diedrich led the Mustangs in kills with 24, while Cara Carson finished up 53 assists.

The Mavericks (16-7, 8-7 NSIC) will travel to Crookston, Minn. next Tuesday to face Minnesota-Crookston at 7:00 p.m.