by Hans Bristol / @hans_bristol / sports@kvsc.org / (Photo SCSU Athletics)

10/31/2019 – #3 Minnesota-Duluth 1 – #11 St. Cloud State 3

On a Halloween night matchup, the #11 ranked St. Cloud State Huskies stunned #3 Minnesota-Duluth 3-1 at Halenbeck Hall.

After quickly falling behind 3-0 in the first set, SCSU was able to respond using momentum from a kill by Linsey Rachel. The hosts took their first lead of the opening set at 13-12. After UMD showed many responses, SCSU held onto the lead at 17-15 and buried the Bulldogs with a 25-22 opening set win.

St. Cloud State quickly jumped out to a 8-5 lead over the Bulldogs in set number 2. Yet the Bulldogs strung together a stretch of points tying the set back up at 14. UMD late in the set saw a 19-15 lead disappear behind strong play from Linsey Rachel and Phebie Rossi tying the set late at 24. A service ace clinched the 2nd set win for SCSU and taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs.

The visiting UMD side responded back in the 3rd set to push a fourth set at Halenbeck Hall. A dominant 25-22 3rd set win would see the game again come down to the fourth set now cutting the Huskies to 2-1.

Dropping the 3rd set to Minnesota-Duluth did not phase the St. Cloud State, responding with a fourth set win ultimately upsetting the hosts by a final of 3-1. Linsey Rachel continued her dominant season leading the Huskies with 13 digs and 17 kills for her 15th double double this year. SCSU forced the Bulldogs to a season worst hitting percentage of .124 in the match.

11/2/19 – #11 St. Cloud State 3 – Bemidji State 0

The Huskies volleyball team faced no problems with Bemidji State on Saturday afternoon sweeping away the Beavers for their 18th win of the 2019 season.

SCSU jumped out to a 18-6 lead in the opening set. Bemidji State would eventually cut the opening set lead down to 21-18 countered by a strong finish for St. Cloud State. Linsey Rachel closed the set with a kill leading the Huskies to a 25-22 opening set win over the host Beavers.

A dominating second set led the Huskies to a 2-0 lead. SCSU jumped out to a 6-1 lead that BSU had no response for. Phebie Rossi had a strong set, leading the Huskies to a dominant 25-17 2nd set victory.

With a 2-0, SCSU would slam the door on BSU in the third and final set. Jumping out to another opening set lead, St. Cloud State would rely on dominant offense excelling the team to a 25-14 win over BSU and a 3-0 match win.

Erin Navratil was strong offensively with a team leading 13 kills in the win. Phebie Rossi and Linsey Rachel were not far behind with 12 and 10 kills in the win.

#11 ranked SCSU improves to 18-5 overall and 10-5 in NSIC play. St. Cloud State go back to work Tuesday night hosting Minnesota-Crookston in conference play.