RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The University of Minnesota Morris Cougars faced two tough opponents on the second day of the Falcon Invite. The Cougars fell 0-3 to the College of Saint Benedict in game one on the day, but followed that up with a 3-1 victory over Bethel University. 

Cougar Volleyball leaves the weekend 1-5, but they will have a chance to compete again next weekend (Sept. 13-14) at the Macalester Invitational in St. Paul, Minn.

St. Ben's 3, Minnesota Morris 0
(25-23, 25-23, 25-20)

The first set of the match started out even for both teams as the Cougars and Bennies battled for every point. A five point run from Saint Ben's put them in the lead at 14-12, but a kill from Laura Wellbrock and a service ace from Clara Holden kept the score matched at 14-14. A kill from Anna Molstad and attack errors by the Bennies put the Cougars up 17-15. Minnesota Morris continued to battle for their points and brought the score to 23-21 before a four point run from Saint Ben's put the set away at 25-23.

Saint Ben's lept out to an early lead in the second set, leading the Cougars 7-3. Minnesota Morris clawed their way back into the game, tying up the score at 12-12. The Bennies found the lead again at 16-12, but kills from Wellbrock, Mary Cate Ziembiec, and Madeline Monaco, as well as two team service aces gave the Cougars back to lead at 22-20. The Minnesota Morris defense struggled to stop Saint Ben's at the end of the set, resulting in a 25-23 loss.

The Cougars were no match for the Bennies in the third set, allowing Saint Ben's an early lead of 14-4. The Cougar offense was led by kills from Ziembiec, Lacie O'Leary, Molstad, and Braxtyn Meyer in the fight to take back the lead in the set. Minnesota MOrris was able to close the score to within four points before the set retired at 25-20 in favor of Saint Ben's. 

Molstad led the Cougars in kills with 11. Holden finished the match with 15 assists while Wellbrock and Sydney Petersen both came away with 10 digs for the Cougars.

Minnesota Morris 3, Bethel 1
(25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 25-22)

Minnesota Morris found the lead early in the first set with kills from Ziembiec and Petersen. Bethel was quick to respond, getting up three on the Cougars at 8-5. Molstad, assisted by Holden, brought the Cougars back to a 9-9 tie. Minnesota Morris and the Royals went back and forth before the Cougar offense went on the attack and racked up a five point lead at 18-13. The Cougars maintained their lead, finishing the set at 25-21 to take the first set off the Royals.

The second set saw another back and forth battle for the Cougars. With Minnesota Morris up 12-8, Bethel fought to close the scoring gap and reclaim the lead at 16-16. Kills from Wellbrock and Holden helped the Cougars widen the gap to three. The Royals took the lead very late in the set at 24-23 before the Cougars closed the set at 26-24 with a kill from Wellbrock.

Bethel took control of the third set, finding the lead over the Cougars at 6-6 on a four point streak. With the Minnesota Morris offense putting pressure on the Royals, the score remained close. Bethel retook the lead at 16-15 and ran away with the game from there. Two kills from Ziembiec was not enough to match the Royal's offense, and the set ended with the Royals up 25-19 to take their only set off the Cougars. 

Bethel took an early lead over the Cougars to start the fourth set, quickly answered by Minnesota Morris putting their own points on the board. Petersen assisted kills for the Cougars that took back the lead at 10-9. Bethel tied the set up at 21-21 on a five point run before the Cougars put the set away with kills from Tori Scheler, O''Leary, and Wellbrock all assisted by Petersen. The set retired with a final score of 25-22 to give the Cougars their first match of the season.

Ziembiec led the Cougars in kills (13), aces (7), and digs (18). Petersen totaled 20 assists in the match. Wellbrock and Scheler both came away with 5 blocks.