Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MORRIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Morris (2-1) volleyball team earned a pair of sweeps on the first day of the UMM Invitational Tournament. The night started with a 27-25, 25-18, 26-24 win over St. Catherine (0-1). In the final match of the day Morris beat Simpson (2-2) 25-19, 25-13, and 25-17.
 
In match one setter Brooke Decker found Abby Tietz and Marissa Ekness early and often. The two combined for 31 of the 48 kills on the night. Ekness led the way 17 and Tietz added 14. Cori Becker was on shy of double digits, finishing with nine kills. Decker had 36 assists as the team hit .233 on the night. Tietz and Katie Reitsma tied for the team lead in kills with 18. Morris held the Wildcats to just .133 hitting in the match.
 
The Cougars fought off set point in the first set, scoring three straight to win 27-25. The second set was just as close until Morris scored five straight, pulling away for the 25-18 win. St. Kate's looked like they were going to run away from the Morris after scoring five straight but a timeout slowed their momentum and the set was soon tied at 15. The Wildcats took a 19-16 lead late but UMM rallied right back taking a 21-20 lead. It stayed a one point game until an attack error and kill by Becker gave UMM the win.
 
In the nightcap Morris blocked their way to victory. They had nine team blocks, a season high, and forced 21 attack errors. The Simpson Storm hit just .035 in the match. Becker had four blocks to go with her seven kills. Ekness had a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs, she also added three blocks.
 
Morris pulled away from the Storm in the middle of the first set. An 8-2 run gave UMM a 16-8 lead. Simpson never recovered and the Cougars won the set 25-19. Minnesota Morris pulled out to a decent lead in the middle of set two. Leading 17-11 UMM finished off the set with an 8-2 run. The Storm had a small lead in the third set but the Cougars rallied and pulled away late to win 25-17.
 
Tomorrow the Cougars face Hamline at 12:30 p.m. before finishing the day vs Bethany at 2:30 p.m. in a nonconference matchup.