MARSHALL, Minn. — Top-ranked Wayne State rallied from a 2-1 set deficit to outlast No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State in an NSIC battle 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 25-16, 15-4.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair that saw Southwest score three in a row to take a 19-18 lead before Wayne State responded by scoring seven of the last eight points, including two straight kills each from Kelsie Cada, Maggie Brahmer and Channatee Robles to take the opening set.
Southwest responded with wins in the next two sets, both of which were tightly contested. The second set saw 13 ties and two lead changes, while the third set had 15 ties and nine lead changes before the Mustangs took the 2-1 advantage.
In the fourth, Wayne State took the lead early and dominated to force a fifth and deciding set. Brahmer had three straight kill in the fourth set, and that momentum carried into the final set as Wayne State jumped out to a 6-0 advantage and hit .556 in the final set to come away with the win.
Brahmer matched her career high with 20 kills and hit at a .459 clip for the winners. Cada had 17 kills and 16 digs, while Taya Beller had 13 kills and seven blocks and Robles added 11 kills. Rachel Walker had 53 assists and 19 digs, and Jordan McCormick added 15 digs.
The Wildcats (11-1, 3-0 NSIC) are home Tuesday, hosting Peru State in a non-conference contest starting at 6 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
