Pioneers Win Two 5-Setters at Doane

The Basics
Score: MNU 3, Dakota State 2
Score: MNU 3, Doane 2
Record: MNU (3-0)
Location: Doane University - Crete, Neb.

CRETE, Neb. - MNU went to Doane and won a pair of matches in 5 sets on Saturday. Against DSU, the scores were 22-25, 25-15, 29-27, 18-25, and 15-10. The Doane match was 18-25, 17-25, 27-25, 25-17, 15-11. MNU is 3-0 for the first time since 2016, when they started 7-0.

"Those were two really big team wins for us!" said head coach Molly Karagyaurov. "I'm proud of these athletes and their effort. We have a team which is essentially brand new playing together which creates a whole set of problems on its own. We aren't around that learning curve yet. We still have so many points given away based on communication and comfort. But that will take time to solve.

"We tried multiple different systems and lineups and will continue to do so. This team seems bought in to doing what's best for the team as a whole and that's special.

"Individually, Cassidy was able to play at least part time which was fun. She can score. Ariana showed well in both matches and had several clutch plays in big moments. Mikayla continues to block the ball really well and went on some service runs which is always fun for a middle. Lucie had some blocks that got Coach Adam and I up off the bench.

"Overall, it was fun. I love when I can say that. Sports are fun. They are hard work, and challenging, and intense and all of that too. But it is so fun when it's fun too!

"Looking forward, we are headed to a notoriously tough tournament at Bellevue over Labor Day weekend. There is a reason that tournament is nicknamed "The Beast". So this week will be full of learning, growing and improving to go do our best there!"

Up Next
MNU heads to Bellevue, Nebraska to face Embry-Riddle, Carroll, Oklahoma City, and Olivet Nazarene.