The Basics
Score: MNU 3 – Park 2
Record: MNU (5-5, 1-2)
Location: Parkville, Mo.
Set Scores: 11-25, 25-13, 17-25, 25-19, 15-11

PARKVILLE, Mo. – MNU twice answered a set loss and finished strong in the fifth to earn a 3-2 road victory over Park on Tuesday.

Park dominated the opening set, using a long run to turn a 6-7 MNU deficit into a 6-19 hole on the way to a 25-11 win. The Pioneers struggled offensively in the set with four kills and 10 errors.

MNU completely reversed the match in the second. Pola Madziewicz opened the set with a kill and Emily Mathis followed with back-to-back aces for a quick 3-0 lead. The Pioneers stretched the advantage to 11-5 and later used another surge to build an 18-9 cushion. MNU finished the set without an attack error, hitting .500 in a 25-13 victory.

Park regained the advantage with a 25-17 win in the third, but MNU responded again in the fourth. With the Pioneers leading just 8-7, Madziewicz started a six-point run that included kills from Talia Jost and Kennedy Smalley before Madziewicz capped it with another kill for a 14-7 lead. Park eventually cut the margin to 22-18, but Dominika Bartosz and Smalley delivered kills down the stretch to finish the 25-19 win and force a fifth.

The fifth set stayed close early, but MNU never trailed after breaking a 4-4 tie. Mia Olson and Bartosz put the Pioneers ahead 6-4, and MNU maintained the advantage through the middle of the set. Park pulled within one at 9-8 and again at 12-11, but Bartosz answered with a kill before a Park attack error brought up match point. Sophia Dial finished it with a kill for the 15-11 victory.

Olson led the Pioneer offense with 13 kills while hitting .300 and added four total blocks, including two solo. Bartosz and Madziewicz each recorded 10 kills, with Madziewicz hitting a team-best .348. Dial added seven kills. Macie Metcalf recorded 23 assists, DeGraffenreid had 18, and Mathis led the back row with 21 digs and three aces. Bartosz added 18 digs.

Turning Point
After Park pulled within 9-8 in the deciding set, MNU scored two straight on kills by Mia Olson and Pola Madziewicz to push the lead back to 11-8.

Individual Leaders
Mia Olson: 13 kills, .300 hitting, 4 blocks
Dominika Bartosz: 10 kills, 18 digs
Pola Madziewicz: 10 kills, .348 hitting, 8 digs
Macie Metcalf: 23 assists
Anna DeGraffenreid: 18 assists, 8 digs
Emily Mathis: 21 digs, 3 aces

Up Next
The next match is Friday at home vs. Peru State at 7:00.