VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City State fell 3-1 to Mayville State in a North Star matchup Wednesday night, 25-21, 26-24, 20-25, and 25-19.
The Vikings led the Comets 7-6 early in set one when Mayville State’s freshman Elora Passa served eight straight points to make it 15-7. After securing a 10-point lead at 18-8, the Vikings answered back with a 9-1 run making it 19-17. Three kills by Passa contributed to the Comet win of set one, 25-21.
Mayville State started out strong in set two taking a quick lead. Their largest lead of the game came at 20-13 when a Comet service error gave the Vikings a chance to strike back. At 21-16 in favor of the Comets, three straight Caitlyn Fishbach kills started an 8-3 rally for Valley City State. Tied at 24, two Viking errors gave Mayville State set two 26-24.
The two NSAA teams battled in set three as they went back and forth, tying the game at 15. A Clara Weiland kill spurred a 6-1 run to give the Vikings their largest lead of the match. A pair of Bailey Nelson kills secured the win for Valley City State, 25-20.
The Vikings kept their momentum early in set four taking a 5-1 lead but hitting errors allowed the Comets to answer back. Tied at 6-6, a solo block by Madisen Knudsvig gave the Comets a lead they would never give up as they took set four 25-19.
Three Vikings had double-digit kills in the loss. Makayla Wetzel tallied team-high 12 kills while freshmen Kylie Tucker and Clara Weiland each added 10.
Reagan Ingstad recorded 27 assists, 11 digs and three service aces for the Vikings. Alexa Walby added 24 assists. Defensively, Morganne Eppard recorded 22 digs and Kallene Klever tallied 19 for Valley City State.
Mayville State was led by Elora Passa who tallied 31 assists, 18 digs, and 11 kills for the Comets. Hannah Bliss added a team high 20 kills and libero Jayden Warner tallied 35 digs.
Valley City State falls to 4-11 overall and 0-5 in the North Star. Mayville State improves to 13-8 overall and 3-2 in the NSAA.
UP NEXT: Valley City State hosts Presentation College for another conference matchup on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. in Graichen Gym.
(Photos Courtesy VCSU Athletic Department)