Erin Gross and Jaci Brahmer combined for 26 kills and a .561 attack percentage to lead 22nd-ranked Wayne State in a 25-7, 25-10 and 25-19 sweep Tuesday over South Dakota School of Mines at Rice Auditorium.
Wayne State came out on fire early in the match, hitting .522 in the first set with 12 kills and no errors. The Wildats were also stellar defensively, forcing eight attack errors on the Hardrockers while holding South Dakota Mines to a -.065 attack percentage in the first set.
The Wildcats continued their aggressive play in the second set while playing a number of reserves as WSC hit .480 with 14 kills. Freshman Maddie Duffy had three service aces while Gross and Brahmer each produced five kills on six attacks to lead the Wildcats in hitting.
South Dakota School of Mines gave the Wildcats a tough battle in the third set before the Wildcats completed the sweep. Gross had five more kills in the set with Brahmer adding four kills and three blocks.
For the match, Wayne State hit a season-best .375 with 42 kills on 88 attacks and nine errors while South Dakota School of Mines posted a .034 attack percentage on 20 kills, 17 errors and 87 attacks.
Individually, Gross paced the Wildcats with 14 kills and three blocks while hitting .480 followed by Brahmer accounting for 12 kills and five blocks with a .688 attack percentage.
Katie Stephens posted a team-high 13 digs while setter Megan Gebhardt handed out 35 assists. Duffy served up five aces on the night with Bree Ackermann adding two.
Wayne State (8-6, 2-3 NSIC) returns to Northern Sun Conference play this weekend, hosting Minnesota Crookston Friday at 6 p.m. and Bemidji State Saturday at 1 p.m.
