Highlights from the weekend’s Wayne State sports teams:
Volleyball splits matches at home – The eighth-ranked Wayne State volleyball team got a split over the weekend, rallying for a five-set win over Minnesota State and dropping a three-set effort against No. 2-ranked Concordia-St. Paul. In Friday’s match, Wayne State rallied from a 10-5 deficit in the fifth set to defeat the Mavericks, 25-23, 25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 15-13. Alyssa Frauendorfer had 15 kills and five blocks, Michaela Mestl had 13 kills and 24 digs and Erin Gross had a career-best 13 kills. Haley Kuth had 29 digs and Megan Gebhardt had 43 assists. On Saturday, the visiting Golden Bears hit a hot .367 at the net to sweep Wayne State 25-13, 25-18, 29-27. Mestl led the net attack with 14 kills and Gross added seven. Gebhardt had nine digs, three blocks and 32 assists. WSC, 14-4 (5-4 NSIC) plays at No. 7 Winona State on Friday and Upper Iowa on Saturday.
Big third quarter helps Augie beat Wildcats – Visiting Augustana took control of the game in the second half to spoil Wayne State’s homecoming, 44-31. Wayne State held a 10-7 lead in the second when Arelious Burns scored on a nine-yard run, and the Wildcats were still in the hunt at the half, trailing 20-17. The Vikings scored two touchdowns and added a field goal to take control and come away with the win. Zach Osborn was 28-of-47 for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Nate Rogers had 11 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Burns led the ground game with 98 yards on 17 carries. Tyler Thomsen led the defense with six tackles. The 2-4 Wildcats play Saturday at 6 p.m. at Southwest Minnesota State.
Soccer gets 0-0 tie against Concordia – The Wayne State soccer team salvaged a tie over the weekend after dropping a 4-0 decision at Minnesota State on Friday. The Wildcats ran into a solid Minnesota State squad that scored three first-half goals on their way to the easy win. Minnesota State outshot Wayne State 18-8 in the game. Kylie Comba made four saves in the losing effort. On Sunday, Wayne State hosted Concordia-St. Paul at the WSC Pitch and salvaged a scoreless draw. The visiting Golden Bears outshot Wayne State 21-11. Comba made eight saves to help the 6-3-3 (3-3-3 NSIC) Wildcats come away with the draw. Wayne State is home this weekend, hosting Minnesota Crookston on Saturday and Bemidji State on Sunday.
Cross country runners compete at Briar Cliff – The Wayne State cross country teams competed well in the Briar Cliff Invitaitonal on Saturday in McCook Lake, S.D. In the men’s race, Wayne State finished 10th out of 14 teams and were led by Antoine Bardou, who finished 10th out of 157 runners to lead the WIldcats. Also running were Isaias Solorio (57th), Corbin Lehn (82nd), Kak Ayaj (101st), Joey Black (105th), Noah Noecker (124th) and Nathan Pearson (145th). In the women’s race, the Wildcats were 12th out of 15 teams and were led by Andrea DeImone, who finished 37th out of 168 runners. Also running were Jamie Larsen (78th), Alexis Oswald (100th), Joesphine Peitz (120th), Mary Alderson (144th) and Sarah Post (162nd). The Wildcats are back in action Oct. 22 in the NSIC Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.
