Sports

• Back to Sports List

Strong Senior Play Leads Huskies Volleyball Past USF

11/05/2017 - 10:50 AM

 The St. Cloud State Volleyball team (16-12) was in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive on Friday night against the University of Sioux Falls (13-10).

And boy, did their seniors deliver, helping push the Huskies to a thrilling 5 set victory over the Cougars.

Outside Hitter Becca Gruber tied a career high with 16 kills on nearly .400 hitting to power the Huskies' attack. Even when she had the potent USF block (3rd in the NSIC coming into Friday's match) in her way, she created holes in the block with blistering swings. Senior Setter Kayla Crane earned Player of the Game honors with 30 assists, 4 aces, and 9 digs. Crane played a significant role in the success of SCSU's defense, helping to hold the Cougars to .215 hitting. Another crucial component of the defensive effort came from Senior Nicole Miller, as the Chaska product racked up 9 digs in the match. Redshirt Freshman Abby Templin found continued offensive success, posting 11 kills. Sophomore Marah Mulso (3.5 blocks) helped the Huskies shut down USF standout Lexi Scott, holding the Cougars Middle to a measly .050 hitting. 

Sioux Falls did not go quietly, picking up fantastic performances from Abby Feyereisen (11 kills/2.5 blocks/.364) and Kasandra Springer (10 kills/.400). Freshman Averey Yaksich recorded a double-double in the match with 14 kills and 14 digs. The cougars, playing their third straight match without the services of injured Setter Megan Hamstad, struggled to provide Freshman Setter Krista Goerger good passes to keep the team in system. Goerger often was forced to adjust to inaccurate passes, finishing with 5 ballhandling errors.

With the victory, the Huskies picked up their 16th win of the season, their highest win total as a program since the 19-win 2004 squad.