University of Sioux Falls gave top-ranked Wayne State a little concern early, but Wayne State was able to overcome a second-set loss to post a 25-16, 28-30, 25-15, 25-21 win over the Cougars Thursday at Rice Auditorium.
Wayne State, which had won 14 consecutive games over the previous four matches, battled Sioux Falls tough through the first two sets. Wayne State needed a 5-0 run in the first set to take control early, thanks to kills by Taya Beller and Taylor Bunjer. Kelsie Cada had five kills in the opening set and Beller added four.
Sioux Falls answered in the second set, coming back from a 20-18 deficit and getting the set into extra point. The lead changed hands four times before USF was able to post the win and tie the match, marking Wayne State’s first loss of a game since the Augustana match on Oct. 4.
Wayne State wasted no time recovering from the second-set setback, going on a 6-1 run behind back-to-back kills from Beller, to take an 11-6 lead. Wayne State continued to dominate, hitting .424 in the set behind seven kills from Maggie Brahmer.
Sioux Falls got out to a 4-1 lead in the final set before a pair of Cada kills and another by Brahmer ignited a 4-0 run that made it 5-4. Wayne State was able to lead by as many as seven points at 13-6 after a Bunjer termination before USF rallied to get to within one at 22-21. Wayne State scored the final three points of the match to seal the victory.
Cada led the team in kills with 21, tying her career high set last Friday against University of Mary. She was followed by Beller with 15 and Brahmer with 14. Walker led the team with 44 assists and 21 digs, followed by Havyn Heinz with 15, Cada with 11, and Jessie Brandl with 10. Brahmer also led in blocks with four, and Cada added a pair of solos.
The Wildcats (24-0, 14-0 NSIC) will be on the road Saturday afternoon, playing at fifth-ranked Southwest Minnesota State at 2 p.m.
