Winona State Volleyball Falls in NSIC Tournament First Round

The Winona State University volleyball team ended their 2024 season with a tough 3-0 loss to Wayne State College in the first round of the NSIC Volleyball Tournament. Despite entering as the sixth seed, the Warriors were unable to upset the third-seeded Wildcats on the road. They closed the year with a solid 18-12 overall record and 11-7 in conference play.

Set One: Wildcats Dominate Early

The opening set was competitive initially, but Wayne State unleashed a commanding 14-1 run, securing a decisive 25-12 victory. The Wildcats hit a modest .179, but Winona State struggled offensively, registering 12 hitting errors and hitting -.106 for the set.

Set Two: Warriors’ Rally Falls Short

Wayne State surged to an 8-2 lead in the second set, powered by four service aces in their first eight serves. The Warriors mounted an impressive late rally, cutting the deficit to 24-19 before Kenna Kornely led a thrilling six-point run to earn a set point. However, the Wildcats responded with three consecutive points to claim a 27-25 win, extending their lead to 2-0.

Set Three: A Hard-Fought Finish

In the final set, the Warriors fought to a 14-14 tie, but Wayne State regained control, building a 24-20 lead. Winona State showed resilience, closing the gap to two points before the Wildcats sealed the match with a 25-22 win, completing the sweep and advancing to the semifinals.

Individual Highlights

• Kenna Kornely led the Warriors with 13 kills, while Leah Mach (12) and Sidney Paulson (11) also contributed significantly.
• Jaci Winchell and Ashlyn Steding combined for 31 assists, orchestrating the offense.
• On defense, Kylie Welch anchored with 22 digs, supported by Paulson’s 11 digs.
• For Wayne State, Channatee Robles tallied 13 kills, and Taya Beller dominated at the net with six blocks.

A Successful Season Despite the Setback

While the loss ends their postseason run, the Warriors capped a strong season with a sixth-place finish in the NSIC regular season. Their achievements in 2024 reflect the talent and determination of a roster that consistently rose to challenges throughout the year.