Dillon Hogan/ Winonan

The Winona State University women’s volleyball team began their postseason play in the NSIC tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 11 against Southwest Minnesota State University.

At the conclusion of the regular season the Warriors compiled a 19-7 regular season record and a 14-6 record in the NSIC. This record was good enough to give the Warriors the fifth seed in the NSIC tournament and square off against the No. 4 Southwest Minnesota.

Reiterating his point from earlier in the season about age not determining success, head coach Joe Getzin said, “These are young girls, but that shouldn’t affect them in this game. This is just another game for them, and they have had plenty of experience with those this season. Past the first round things get different, but we just have to take care of business.”

In mid-October the Warriors matched up against the Mustangs at home resulting in a Warriors loss to the Mustangs in three sets.

Getzin said the Warriors have improved since their last game against their tournament opponent.

“Down the stretch we’ve been getting better with every match that we have played,” Getzin said.

As the lower seed, the Warriors had to travel to Marshall, Minn. to take on Southwest Minnesota. The Warriors were swept 3-0 in the first round of the tournament.

A first set loss 25-23 was as close as the Warriors would get to winning a set during the match.

The second set saw Southwest Minnesota assert their dominance in the match by taking down the Warriors 25-14 to go up 2-0 in the match.

The third and final set ended with the same results for the Warriors. The Mustangs never eased up on the Warriors and, by a score of 25-18, got their win in the set and the sweep over the Warriors.

Getzin said the upperclassmen of the team “have been phenomenal” this season.

“Without the seniors buying in none of this would have worked,” Getzin said. “They are always helping out, even in ways most people cannot see. They are leaders on and off the court.”