St. Cloud State
10-3,5-0NSIC
Sioux Falls
7-6,2-3NSIC
Huskies hang on for 3-2 win over Sioux Falls
9/25/2021 5:13:00 PM | Volleyball
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The St. Cloud State University volleyball team knows how to get it done when wins are on the line. After defeating the #5 team in the country Friday night, the Huskies were looking to end their weekend with a quick win over the University of Sioux Falls. There was nothing quick about the victory, but St. Cloud State left South Dakota with the win it wanted, taking down Sioux Falls in five sets 3-2 (25-17, 20-25, 28-26, 24-26, 15-13) to improve to 10-3 overall with a 5-0 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play.
HOLD ON TO YOUR HORSES
It wasn't the prettiest of wins the Huskies procured this season, but it was one of the most exciting. St. Cloud State dominated early and often in the match, tallying 40+ kills well before the fourth set concluded. However, the scrappy Cougars weren't about the let the Huskies walk out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota with an easy win. St. Cloud State battled for every point, taking the first set 25-17 for a 1-0 lead in the match.
Sioux Falls stole the second set 25-20 to even the match at 1-1 before the Huskies offense powered them to a thrilling 28-26 win in the third. After surrendering six consecutive points, St. Cloud State found itself behind 16-14 and rallied to take a 17-16 lead. The two teams then traded points before the Cougars took a late 25-24 lead. The Huskies then rattled off three consecutive points, all of which were kills by junior middle blocker Phebie Rossi (Rapid City, S.D. / Stevens), to win the set 26-24.
Sioux Falls again spoiled St. Cloud State's plan for an early departure, winning the fourth set 26-24 to force the decisive fifth. The Huskies set the tone from the onset, jumping out a 9-4 lead on kills by Rachel Houle (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater) and Kenzie Foley (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa / Sergeant Bluff-Luton). The Cougars weren't simply going to hand St. Cloud State the win, as they rallied multiple times and cut the Huskies lead to 14-13 late in the set. A kill from Houle put a stop to upset-minded Sioux Falls and secured the 3-2 (25-17, 20-25, 28-26, 24-26, 15-13) win for St. Cloud State.
TOP HUSKIES
- Senior outside Linsey Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn. / Maple Lake) has had a quiet start to the season, at least, by her standards. There was nothing quiet about the senior's performance Saturday afternoon, as she led the Huskies to victory with a season-high, and team-leading, 22 kills and 16 digs. The double double is the 47th of Rachel's career, tying the program record for career double doubles (since 1994).
- Phebie Rossi (Rapid City, S.D. / Stevens) was not to be messed with Saturday afternoon. The junior middle blocker recorded a season-high 14 kills Saturday afternoon and committed just one error for a .464 hitting percentage. She, along with senior right side Rachel Houle (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater Area), led the team with five block assists in the victory.
- Maddy Torve (Loretto, Minn. / Heritage Christian Academy) destroyed her previous career-high in single-match assists, tallying 68 in the three set win over Sioux Falls. Her total ranks sixth all-time in single-match assists, as Torve becomes just the third setter in program history with two 60+ assist performances in her career.
FIVE SET THRILLERS
St. Cloud State has won three five-set matches this season, including two in NSIC play. Since Chad Braegelmann took over in 2015, it marks the best five-set record for the team through the first month of the season. By comparison, the Huskies went 4-3 in five-set matches back in 2019, and all seven of those matches occurred in NSIC play.
PURE PERFECTION
St. Cloud State is currently 5-0 in NSIC play thanks to its wins over Bemidji State, #5 SMSU and Sioux Falls this week. This marks the best conference start in the Chad Braegelmann era, breaking the mark set in 2019. That year, the Huskies opened the NSIC season with three straight wins before falling to national powerhouse Concordia-St. Paul.
UP NEXT
St. Cloud State returns home for its next NSIC series, as the Huskies face Concordia-St. Paul on Friday, October 1 and Minnesota State on Saturday, October 2. First serve on Friday is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT in Halenbeck Hall.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
