ABERDEEN, S.D. – For the first time since 2008 the Cougars (8-7) were unable to get by former UMAC member Presentation (8-7) in tough five set loss. Katie Reitsma set a new career high with 34 digs, a mark that ranks just outside the top five in school history.
 
Marissa Ekness had 27 kills for the second time this season, tying for her career high and fifth all-time in school history. Her 92 attacks on the night are the most in school history, besting the 73 set by Anna Townsend in 1998 against Morningside College.
 
Cori Becker added 13 kills and Leah Ruter had 11. Brooke Decker had 51 assists in the match, just three shy of her career high.
 
Morris was outdone by 32 attack errors and 10 service errors on the evening. The Cougars fell 28-26 in the first set, after the Saints fought off two set points. UMM was in control most of the second set, winning 25-18.
 
The opposite was true in the third set with the Saints being in control early. Morris made a late run but fell just short, falling 25-23. In the fourth set the Cougars pulled away late for a 25-21 win.
 
As it has been in the other five set loses the Cougars fell behind early and called a timeout trailing 8-4. The Cougars pulled to within one at 10-9 but never got over the hump and fell 15-13.
 
This Saturday the Cougars are home for the first time since September 5 when they host St. Scholastica at 3 p.m. The match will be the UMAC opener for the Cougars; they lost to Scholastica last Friday in a non-conference match.