Yankton, S.D. - The Comets volleyball team is touring the GPAC this week, starting in Yankton, S.D. to battle the Mount Marty Lancers. This will be the last week of games before opening up conference play on Thursday, September 21st at Valley City State.

Head coach Katie Aasen knows how these two away games are crucial for starting conference competition. Aasen quoted, "This is our last week of games before we begin conference, and while we are not looking ahead and taking it one game and one play at a time, we know we have opportunities this week to set the tone going into conference."

The Comets did just that. In set one, kills by Abby Cox, Nicole Kortan and Samantha Passa staked Mayville State to a quick 3-0 lead. The lead slowly expanded from there, and Kylee Baumgarn's third ace of the set finished off the victory 25-18.

The Comets got off to another quick start in set two, this time taking an early 4-0 advantage. Three consecutive kills by Kortan helped boost the lead to 12-4, but the Lancers got back into the game with an 8-2 run of their own. Mayville State held on to a small lead throughout the set, but another late run by Mount Marty tied the score at 24. A wild ending ensued, and consecutive blocks by Thyra Peterick and Samantha Passa gave the Comets the set two win 27-25.

The tables turned in set three as the Lancers were the team off to a quick start, racing out to a 7-1 lead. The Comets could not shift momentum, as every time the Comets chipped away at the lead, Mount Marty added to their advantage. Mount Marty holds off the brooms with a 25-19 win.

Set four started ominously like set three, with the Lancers charging out of the gates with a 5-0. However, the Comets roared back with five straight points of their own to tie the set at 5. Mount Marty held a small 12-10 lead when the Comets ripped off a 10 point run, with Elora Passa and Cox contributing two kills each. That last run shattered any attempt for a Lancer comeback as the Comets finish the match with a 25-16 win.

"We were prepared to make adjustments as needed, we knew they'd be a better or different team than they were the first time we played them." said head coach Katie Aasen. "Mount Marty did make some adjustments in game prep to try to slow down our offense but we found other ways to gain the advantage."

Kortan piled up 18 kills to lead Mayville State, and Elora Passa added another triple-double with 16 kills, 28 assists and 11 digs. Peyton Richter recorded 21 assists and Baumgarn finished with three aces. Natalie Hadrava anchored the Comet back-line defense with 29 digs, and Peterick (7) and Madison McKinnon (5) combined for 12 blocks.

"Post game, ultimately we celebrated the win. We could've minimized some of the challenges we made for ourselves, but it easily could've gone the other way and we controlled that by playing our game and persevering. That fight is what make's this group special!" said Coach Aasen.

The Comets now stand with a 7-3 record. Mayville State takes on Briar Cliff tomorrow, first serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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