The Winona State University volleyball team clinched their fifth win in a row with a pair of sweeps this weekend against University of Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State University.

“Our ability to remain consistent and getting these wins on the longest road trip of the season was spectacular,” head coach Joe Getzin said. “I’m proud of what our team has done.”

On Friday, Oct. 7 the Warriors defeated Crookston 25-23, 25-9 and 25-21, and on Saturday, Oct. 8 Bemidji State by scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 25-14.

Senior McKenna Larsen facilitated the offense again, contributing 36 assists on Friday and 17 on Saturday.

“McKenna has been our setter for three seasons now and she’s off to another great start in her senior season. She keeps this offense running great,” Getzin said.

She hit three targets on Friday against the Crookston Golden Eagles. Senior Danielle Rampart, and juniors Jordan Runge and Maria Wrage each floored 10 kills apiece. First-year Kate Masberg put away four aces as well.

The Warriors had to mount an early comeback in the first game, the Golden Eagles leading 3-8 at one point. They would finally tie the game at 16 with an ace by Masberg and did not trail the rest of the game. They took the first game 25-23.

The second set was all Warriors, starting out the game on a 14-5 run. The Warriors had a .515 attacking percentage while the Golden Eagles recorded a zero attacking percentage. The Warriors took the second game 25-9

The teams were tied at 11 in the first game when they went of a 7-1 run lead by Larsen to go up 18-12. After an attempted Golden Eagle comeback, a kill by senior Maria Fruechte would complete the sweep.

First-year Becca Pagel continued her freshman season with 22 digs to contribute to Winona’s defensive forefront.

“We pride ourselves on being one of the best defensive teams in the conference and with Becca we didn’t skip a beat when the graduating class left us. We were able to pick up right where we left off,” Getzin said.

Saturday proved that statement with Winona recording 52 digs and six blocks on the day, limiting Bemidji to just a .063 attacking percentage for the match.

The Warriors would struggle early in the first game having to mount another early comeback, they trailed 2-7 early. They went up 23-17, senior Lauren Kudronowicz recorded three of her four blocks this game as they took the first game 25-21.

The second game swayed back and forth with three lead changes and two ties. The Warriors started the game up 6-1 but Bemidji cut that deficit to go up 12-14. The Warriors stayed on their toes and ended the game on a 8-2 run to win 25-19.

The Warriors succeeded in the final set with an array of mistakes from the opposing team. They took the final game to complete the weekend sweep 25-14.

The Warriors return home next weekend to host the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The Top 25 match is slated for 6 p.m. in Winona on Friday, Oct. 13 to kick off Winona State University’s Homecoming week.