Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Madison, S.D. - The Comets Volleyball team opened up their 2023 season in Madison, S.D. where they faced the Dordt Defenders and Mount Marty Lancers. The Comets got out their brooms as they swept the day, beating Dordt 3 sets to 1 and thumping the Lancers 3-0.

Dordt opened set 1 by scoring the first 3 points, but the Comets then ran off a 9-2 rally. The Defenders tied it at 11, then Mayville State methodically opened up a 21-18 lead. Dordt went on a 5-0 run and looked to steal the first set, but the Comets slammed the door to win 26-24. In set 2, no one was able to get an advantage until late when Dordt used a 5-0 rally to win set two 25-21 to even the match at one set each.

Elora Passa took over midway through set three and turned a 10-10 tie into a 25-13 cruise, getting four kills during the decisive run. In set 4, Nicole Kortan and Madison McKinnon attacks gave the Comets an early 14-6 lead, and contributions team-wide kept the Defenders from mounting any sort of comeback, winning set four 25-18.

Elora Passa stuffed the stat sheet with 15 kills, 29 assists and 18 digs. Kortan (12) and McKinnon (11) also reached double figures in kills. Payton Richter added 19 assists and Natalie Hadrava led the stout Comet defense with 21 digs.

"In each set I felt like we were in control of the pace and the momentum," head coach Katie Aasen said. "We were in system and consistently got the other team out of system, which was one of our goals."
 
The Comets were back on the court immediately for their 2^nd match against Mount Marty. The Lancers' fresh legs helped in set 1 as they were able to gain a 12-8 lead. The Comets turned the tables a short time later, ripping off eight straight points to turn a 12-15 deficit into a 20-15 lead. Mayville State held off a late comeback to win set one 25-23.

The Comets hosted a BLOCK PARTY in set two, collecting five blocks early to open a 9-5 lead. The lead expanded to eight at one point, before the Comets took set two 25-19. Mayville State's defense continued to prevent the Lancers from getting any sort of offensive flow going, and a balanced offense allowed the Comets to burst out to a 14-3 lead enroute to a 25-13 set three win and sweep.

The Comets ended with 11 blocks for the game, led by McKinnon and Calyn Crockett. Elora Passa had another fantastic all around game with 10 kills, 18 assists and 9 digs, and Payton Richter recorded 11 assists and 2 aces.

Aasen stated, "Against Mount Marty our discipline on the block and defense in general were unmatched which allowed us to prioritize capitalizing on our offense."

The Comets start the season 2-0 and coach Katie Aasen got her first and second win as the head of the program. "Overall, it was fun for them to be in sync. They worked to get better every play, which needs to continue to be our mentality moving forward," said Aasen.

Mayville State travels back down to South Dakota next Friday to participate in the College of St. Mary's Tournament.

For full schedule information visit https://msucomets.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule.