Pioneers Fall to #6 Dakota Wesleyan to Close Season

The Basics
Score: MNU 1 - Dakota Wesleyan 3
Record: MNU (30-2), DWU (25-7)
Location: Tyson Events Center | Sioux City, Iowa

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - #10 MNU ended their incredible season with a 3-1 loss to #6 Dakota Wesleyan in the final match of pool play at Nationals. The Pioneers started well and had a 14-11 lead in Set 1, but the Tigers fought back to take a 22-20 lead. MNU closed the gap to 1 after a timeout, but Dakota Wesleyan won the next 3 points to win 25-21 to take the early advantage. Set 2 was tight early, but the Pioneers created some separation at 15-11. MNU maintained a 5-6 point cushion for the rest of the set, and evened the match with a 25-21 win. Set 3 was all Dakota Wesleyan. A 6-2 start ballooned to 16-6, and the Pioneers couldn't get back into it and fell 25-15. In Set 4, the Pioneers led 12-9, but the Tigers took a timeout and went on a 5-0 run to take the lead. The teams went back and forth and the set was tied at 21, but Dakota Wesleyan closed it out by winning 4 of the next 5 points.

"Sioux City is a magical place," said head coach Molly Karagyaurov. "I have many fond memories there! I am so proud of the MNU Volleyball and the season we had. It was a dream! Personally, I am honored and humbled. Many of the things I was able to achieve as a player at MNU seemed out of reach. I was blessed to be apart of many firsts and records in the program as an athlete. But everyone knows times have changed - and I was realistic about what we are working with now vs then. However, my staff and I became obsessed with building the program. And this year, it fell into place. It was the concept of - work as though God doesn't exist but yet pray as if He does. And let me tell you - it was a lot of hard work and a lot of prayer.

"Both our varsity and reserve programs experienced success like never before. Most uniquely notable was the winning streak from our varsity team! That was truly unbelievable. At one point, I forgot what it felt like to give a post-game locker room speech after a loss. But while both our teams were winning a lot and it was great - we still focused on development and working really hard in training. The goal was never to win that much. Of course, our athletes had goals which we exceeded. But in this program, it is about so much more than winning and losing. It is about developing young women in a key time of their lives to be better when they leave. In my mind, who cares how much success or influence you have if you don't know what to do with it. In many ways, success breeds influence and influence void of direction can be detrimental. So while the hype was and is real - our program stays focused on the things that matter.

"I want to thank God for his wisdom and direction. I want to thank my handsome husband and family for their support. I want to thank MNU for giving us all this opportunity. I want to thank my administration and support staff for all the help and encouragement. I want to thank my athletes for choosing me in be apart of their college experience.

"The future is bright at MNU volleyball because it is full of young women who just got a taste of success and are now headed into an off-season where they will be challenged. How exciting!"

Turning Point
DWU dominated the 3rd set to take a 2-1 lead.

Individual Leaders
Lucie Maceckova had 14 kills and 18 digs. Mikayla Johnson had 12 kills and 8 blocks. Teresa Saunders had 12 kills and 3 blocks. Ariana Arciniega had 9 kills and 15 digs. Katrina Davis had 36 assists and 11 digs. And Savannah Crossland had 25 digs.

Up Next
The next match is the 2023 season opener.