Lady Spartans Dominate in National Quarterfinal Match

The M State lady Spartans recorded an impressive 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-14) win over Butler County Community College in the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA Division III National Volleyball Tournament at Rochester Community College on Thursday night.

It was a night of runs for M State.  They trailed 7-6 in the opening set when they rattled off seven straight points to take a 13-7 lead.  They scored 19 of the last 22 points scored in the opening set.  Trailing 9-7 in the second set, the lady Spartans went on a 9-point run, 8 in a row on the serve of Jayna Gronewold, and scored 18 of the last 22 points in the set.  Five point service runs by Avery Wanner and Gronewold highlighted the final set for M State.

Setter Kaia Strom distributed 28 assists and the left side attack of Brooke Hovland (8 kills) and Emily Condon (12 kills) led the offensive output for the lady Spartans.  M State recorded 10 service aces, led by Wanner with 4 and Condon with 3.  Dig leaders were Bailey Marty with 14, Wanner with 11 and Gronewold with 10.

"Tonight was a great start to the tournament," said head volleyball coach Abby Crowser. "The team did a good job at mixing things up on the service line and offensively which allowed us to get some nice runs. We were ready to play tonight and enjoyed every minute. We are looking forward to our match tomorrow."

The Spartans will face Owens Community College, the number two seed in the tournament, at 7:00pm Friday.