Winona State University women’s volleyball team put up a tough fight against the mighty Concordia University, St. Paul, but unfortunately lost 3-2. It was a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) match that took place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at home.
Winona State entered with a four-match winning streak, however, Concordia University was one step ahead with a nine-match winning streak and second position on the points table.
The Warriors began the first set with a kill by Sidney Paulson, but the score was equalized due to a service error shortly after. Scoring continued back and forth for both teams, although the Warriors managed to maintain the lead throughout the entire set.
Winona State was looking good, earning a large number of points from service aces and service errors by their opponents. Kills made by both sides also helped them to secure their lead.
The first set ended 26-24. Two back-to-back kills by Paulson ensured the last two points went to the Warriors, which set them up at a 1-0 set lead.
Confident, Winona State began the second set with another kill from Lydia Lange. This set seemed as though it would be a repeat of the last, but a twist came once both teams reached nine points.
“We were giving blow for blow, back and forth, whether it was serving, passing, blocking, attacking, the whole shebang through every set, we were just going back and forth,” Lange said.
Suddenly, Concordia University breached the Warrior defense, scoring four points, and, unable to catch up, Winona State lost the second set to their opponents with a score of 21-25, bringing the match point up to 1-1.
In the third set after half-time Winona State suffered an unfortunate downfall. Concordia University won the set 25-16, a rather large loss that would bring the confidence of any team down.
Still, at the start of the fourth set the Warriors scored three quick points, sending a clear message that they were not backing down without a fight.
“Every single time we go into a match with Concordia, we know it’s going to be a battle back and forth,” Paulson said. “I’m proud of the way that we fought. We could have easily given up being down two to one, but I’m proud of the way we came back and took it to five.”
Both sides were working hard to score. The Warriors managed to maintain the lead with Concordia University staying just a few points behind.
Though, Winona State was not giving up, winning the fourth 25-23 to force the teams into a fifth set to break the tie.
Both teams gave their all, but Concordia won the fifth set 15-8, and the match at 3-2. This win rounded them off with their ten-match winning streak.
The Warriors will face the University of Sioux Falls (S.D) on Thursday, Oct. 31st. They will then come back home on Saturday, Oct. 2 where they will face Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Winona State faced both teams earlier this season and lost so they are hoping for a comeback.
“Sioux Falls beat us earlier in the season, and so it’s a little bit of redemption,” Warrior head coach Joe Getzin said. “And the same thing with Mankato. They took it to us at their place and I think revenge is on the mind so we can take care of business.”
