MORRIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris Cougars (13-5, 5-1 UMAC) swept their fifth straight UMAC opponent on Friday night, beating St. Scholastica (8-8, 3-2 UMAC) 27-25, 27-27, 25-16. The Cougars had 58 digs in the three set win, fourth most in a three set match this season.
In the first set both the Saints and the Cougars did their best to gain an early advantage. St. Scholastica jumped out to a 3-0 lead but the Cougars erased that, tying the set up shortly after. The Cougars then took a 14-13 lead after battling through a long rally. St. Scholastica was forced to take a timeout after the Cougars increased their lead to 17-14.
Morris was forced to a take a timeout when the Saints pulled within one at 19-18. Morris had a set point at 24-23 but Saints scored two straight to take a 25-24 lead. The Cougars found a way to battle back, thanks to a point after a long rally and won the first set 27-25 after a CSS attack error.
Minnesota Morris was the team that took the 3-0 early lead in the second set, trying to carry the momentum from the first set. The lead grew to 5-1 but St. Scholastica found their way back, tying it at five. The Saints took a lead midway through the set but after a UMM timeout, the Cougars scored four straight to take a 16-15 lead.
Trailing 20-18 the Cougars called a timeout and quickly tied it up at 20. St. Scholastica again pulled ahead but three straight points by the Cougars gave them a 24-23 lead and forced a CSS timeout. The Saints rallied and had set point of their own but the Cougars responded with the next three points and took the set 27-25.
The third set was close early but the Cougars made sure the match did not go four sets. Leading just 10-9, Morris went on a 15-7 run to ice the match with a 25-16 set three win.
Abby Tietz led the way with 12 kills, as a team the Cougars had five players with at least seven kills on the evening.
Marissa Ekness led the defense with 18 digs to go along with her eight kills.
Kayley Siekmann had 22 assists in match, setting up an offense that hit .274 on the night.
Next up is a match with Northland at 11 a.m. in the P.E. Center.
