Minnesota State controlled the first two sets of tonight's NSIC volleyball match in Makato, Minn. on the way to a four-set win over Upper Iowa.  The Peacocks won the third set and took an early lead in the fourth set, but couldn't hold it as the Mavericks closed the match out in the fourth frame.  With the win, MSU improved to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in the NSIC, while UIU is now 10-9 overall and 5-6 in the conference.

The Mavericks controlled play in the first two sets winning by scores of 25-16 and 25-18.  Upper Iowa only managed a .065 hitting percentage in both sets hitting a total of 17 kills and 13 errors in the opening frames. 

The Peacocks came out of the break refocused and jumped out to an early lead thanks to a 6-0 run that pushed UIU's lead to 13-6.  After the Mavericks closed the gap to two, 16-14, Upper Iowa once again broke free with a short run, 3-0, to reset their advantage to five.  UIU hit .211 in the third set with 12 kills to win a 25-19 decision.

In the fourth set, Upper Iowa jumped out to an 11-6 lead thanks to a 7-2 run that broke a tie at 4 points apiece.  The Peacocks still led by three late in the set, 20-17, but the home team scored eight of the final ten points to rally for the set win, 25-23, and take the match 3-1.

"We just didn't get going soon enough tonight," said Head Coach Aaron Nelson.  "We've proven all season that when we decide to play our game from the beginning of the match to the end we can play with anyone.  Tonight it took too long to get control of our side.  Our conference is too good to get away with slow starts and they took advantage like most of the NSIC teams do in that situation."

For the match, UIU's offense had trouble finishing; the team registered just 38 kills with 23 errors for a .101 hitting percentage.  Jennifer Mundt led the Peacocks with 15 kills, while Tyann Caspers added 7.  Jenna Hermsen handed out 19 assists and Hailey Brown came away with 17.  Amanda Weiss came up with 24 digs in the match as UIU came up with 81 digs on the night.