The Pioneers took the first set from the tournament's #1 seed and the NAIA's highest ranked team, Lindsey Wilson, but fell in 4 in the second match of pool play. MNU had a 15-10 lead in Set 1, but LWC fought back to tie it at 19. The rest of the set was tight, and the Pioneers finally won 29-27.
The second and third sets were controlled by Lindsey Wilson, and MNU fell 25-20 and 25-18. In the fourth set, LWC held an 18-12 lead before the Pioneers stormed back with an 8-2 run to tie the set at 20. But LWC responded with a 5-1 run to close the set and win the match.
Sofija Berezovska had 17 kills and 8 digs.
Lauma Knupke added 12 kills and 4 blocks.
Taylor Cowan added 11 kills.
Cailyn Bessmer had 3 blocks. And
Rachel Kater had 50 assists and 12 digs.
MNU is 27-10. The next match is Thursday at 5:45 vs. tourney host Briar Cliff (17-13). If MNU wins, they will advance to the single-elimination weekend.
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