MANKATO, Minn.--The Fighting Sioux volleyball team dropped its North Central Conference opener tonight at red-hot Minnesota State in three games, losing 20-30, 29-31 and 21-30. The Mavericks improve to 11-1 (1-0 NCC) with the victory, while the Sioux fall to 3-10 (0-1 NCC).
The Mavericks were paced by a balanced offensive attack that saw just one player - Megan Stroud with 13 - reach double figures in kills. Setter Stef Sandstrom recorded a game-high 32 assists and 11 digs, while Ashley Nachreiner added a game-high 12 digs.
UND, which hit just .023 as a team, was led by Amanda Polzin's (So., Hutchinson, Minn.) 11 kills.
Ashley Holmen (So., Berthold, N.D.) And Courtney Halvorson (Fr., Oakley, Minn.) had 11 kills apiece.
One bright spot in the loss was a bit of history made by senior Tara Holmen (Berthold, N.D.). The two-time All-NCC performer had six kills and six block assists tonight to become UND's all-time points leader since rally scoring was instituted in 2001. Holmen now has 1,269 career points, surpassing the record of 1,268.5 previously held by Heather Hanson (2000-03).
The Sioux wrap up their six-match road swing tomorrow night at Minnesota Duluth before returning home to host Minnesota, Crookston on Tuesday, Sep. 18.
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