Minnesota State Volleyball Falls 0-3 to No. 13 Southwest Minnesota State

Southwest Minnesota State Defeats Minnesota State in Three Sets at Taylor Center

The Minnesota State volleyball team faced a challenging night on Friday at the Taylor Center, falling in three straight sets to No. 13 Southwest Minnesota State. In a match where offensive efficiency proved to be the deciding factor, the Mavericks struggled to keep pace with a Mustangs squad that capitalized on key scoring runs throughout the evening.

According to the official report from Minnesota State Athletics, the Mavericks (10-17, 8-11 NSIC) hit .129 for the match, recording 38 kills. In contrast, Southwest Minnesota State (21-5, 15-4 NSIC) maintained a .261 hitting percentage, tallying 48 kills across the three sets. The final scores reflected the visitors’ control, ending at 21-25, 22-25, and 19-25.

A Statistical Breakdown of the Match

While the Mavericks were unable to secure a set, several players contributed notable individual performances. Avery Klein led the Minnesota State attack with 11 kills and added eight digs to her stat line. Jadyn Lester was a significant presence at the net and on defense, finishing with 28 assists, 11 digs, and a team-high five total blocks. Addison Foor also contributed across the board with six kills, 11 digs, and two blocks, while Olivia Sturgis hit .267 with six kills and four blocks.

The following table summarizes the offensive output between the two programs during the three-set match:

Team	Hitting Percentage	Total Kills
Minnesota State	.129	38
Southwest Minnesota State	.261	48

The Momentum Shifts

The opening set saw Minnesota State build an early 8-4 lead, fueled by kills from Lily Riese and Avery Klein, along with a service ace from Kaelyn Wieland. The Mavericks held onto that momentum until the middle of the set, leading 17-12 before the Mustangs mounted a comeback. Southwest Minnesota State scored four consecutive points to close the gap, eventually tying the set at 18-18 and pulling ahead for a 25-21 win.

The second set mirrored the competitive nature of the first, with both teams trading leads. Minnesota State held a 19-17 advantage late in the set following a series of kills from Avery Klein and Sturgis and a service ace from Kyla Klein. However, the Mustangs responded with a decisive five-point run to take a 22-19 lead, ultimately closing the set at 25-22.

In the final set, the Mavericks jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but Southwest Minnesota State steadily erased the deficit. A seven-point run by the Mustangs mid-way through the set—highlighted by three kills from Leah Jones and an ace from Natalie Pilney—pushed the visitors to a 16-9 lead. Despite a late rally by Minnesota State, including two service aces from Morgan Bjella, the Mustangs secured the set 25-19.

Looking Toward the Next Match

For the Minnesota State program, the focus now turns quickly to the next challenge. The team is scheduled to host Sioux Falls on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn.

Fans seeking further updates on the team’s roster, schedule, or additional exclusive content can access information through the official Maverick mobile app or by following the program’s verified social media channels on X, Instagram, and Facebook.