GRINNELL, Iowa – The University of Minnesota Morris wrapped up play at the Central College/Grinnell College Tournament on Saturday with a pair of losses, falling in four sets (20-25, 22-25, 26-24, 23-25) to Dominican University and in three sets to Grinnell (15-25, 15-25, 22-25). 

The Cougars (1-4) head home to host their first match of 2021 on Sept. 8, welcoming in the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for a 6 p.m. match at Jim Gremmels Court.

Dominican 3, Minnesota Morris 1
The Stars were able to come away with a hard-fought victory in four sets in the day's opener for Minnesota Morris. 

Maggie Jones was the top offensive weapon for the Cougars, ending with 11 kills and a .292 hitting percentage in the match. Lydia Nash added eight kills, while Kennedy Geller was very efficient with six kills on 14 attacks. 

Jones was also a force on defense with a solo block and seven block assists. Alyssa Ukestad (23 digs) and Sydney Eckhoff (13 digs) played important roles from the back line. McKenzie Newton stuffed the stat sheet with 31 assists, 11 digs, five kills, and four block assists.

Grinnell 3, Minnesota Morris 0
Facing a team on its home floor for the second day in a row, Minnesota Morris had no answers for Kaylin Kuhn and Grinnell. Kuhn ended with 16 kills and a .452 hitting percentage to lead the Pioneers to the win in straight sets over the Cougars.

Nash finished a team-high five kills for UMN Morris, while Jones, Brooke Christensen, and Madeline Monaco all had four apiece. Christensen added two solo blocks and a block assist.

Ukestad ended with 11 digs from her libero spot, while Newton finished with nine assists, six digs, and three aces.