Wayne State used a steady .349 hitting percentage and junior middle hitter Taya Beller became the 20th player in Wildcat volleyball history to reach 1,000 career kills as WSC recorded a 25-14, 25-18, 25-17 sweep at MSU Moorhead Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats never trailed in the opening set, building an early 8-2 lead to force an MSU Moorhead timeout. WSC extended the advantage to 18-11 and closed the opening set with 16 kills and a .351 hitting percentage. Maggie Brahmer had six kills to pace WSC in the opening set followed by Beller, Kelsie Cada and Channatee Robles with three apiece.
WSC also built a big advantage in the second set, getting up 9-3 before the Dragons rallied to get within one twice at 13-12 and 16-15. Wayne State scored four of the next five points on a pair of Beller kills, one from Maggie Brahmer and a MSUM attack error to pull away with the 2-0 lead. Cada had four kills followed by Beller with three along with three blocks, two of them solo.
The third set was close again early until a Wildcat scoring surge put WSC in control. With WSC trailing 10-9, Wayne State scored the next five points to take the lead for good and never looked back to complete the sweep. Cada had six kills in the final set with Beller adding five. Brooke Peltz, Cada and Robles each had service aces.
Cada led a balanced Wildcat effort at the net with 13 kills. Taya Beller added 11 killswhile Brahmer added 10. Havyn Heinz had a team-high nine digs while Beller posted a team-leading five blocks. Cada had two of Wayne State’s six service aces and senior setter Rachel Walker handed out 37 set assists.
The Wildcats (21-1, 12-0 NSIC) return home to host Minot State Friday at 6 p.m. and the University of Mary Saturday at 3 p.m.
