MANKATO, Minn. – Quincy University volleyball opened play Friday, Sept. 12, at the Maverick Invite inside the Taylor Center, dropping both of its matches on the day. The Hawks first took on No. 22-ranked Northern State University, falling in four sets, 21-25, 25-11, 22-25, 20-25, before facing host Minnesota State University, Mankato, and losing in four sets, 25-21, 21-25, 12-25, 19-25.

Game One vs. Northern State

Set one saw the Hawks fall behind early 7-2 but fight back with a four-point run. Northern State answered with a four-point streak of their own to take an 11-6 lead, and Quincy was never able to reclaim the advantage. The Hawks finished the set 21-25, hitting just .167 with eight errors.

Quincy stormed back in set two, scoring 12 straight points after Northern State opened with the first point of the set. Elena Kasavica led the run from the service line, while Susanna Beretti contributed five kills. The Hawks dominated set two 25-11, hitting .289 with 15 kills and only four errors.

Momentum continued in set three as Quincy jumped out to an 8-2 lead and later an 18-11 advantage, fueled by two service aces from libero Lily Marth. However, Northern State responded with a seven-point run, including three key blocks, ultimately taking the set 25-22 after the Hawks lost the lead at 20-19.

Set four was back-and-forth, with Quincy briefly taking a 7-6 lead before the Wolves broke away with a five-point run. The Hawks responded with a four-point streak to tie at 11, but Northern State closed the set on six of the final seven points, taking it 25-20 and handing Quincy its first loss of the season.

Quincy led in kills with 52 to Northern State's 47, paced by Beretti with 20 and Selin Turgut with 12. The Hawks also had a better hitting percentage, .207 compared to the Wolves' .108, and Kasavica added 43 assists. Janelle Pye-Blacknard led defensively with 16 digs. Northern State outperformed Quincy at the net, recording 13 blocks to the Hawks' four and 11 service aces to Quincy's seven.

Game Two vs. Minnesota State Mankato

Quincy bounced back in the first set after a tough opening match, scoring four of the first five points behind two kills from Turgut. The Mavericks briefly tied the score at 5-5 after a three-point run capitalizing on Quincy errors, but a three-point surge from the Hawks, capped by back-to-back kills from Alice Pavan, gave Quincy an 8-5 lead. The Hawks maintained control and closed out set one 25-21.

Set two saw Minnesota State Mankato jump out early, scoring seven of the first ten points. Quincy battled back to tie the set at 16-16, but the Mavericks responded with two three-point runs to take set two 25-21, evening the match at one set apiece.

Set three was a difficult one for the Hawks, as MSU opened with an eight-point run to create a 10-1 lead. Quincy was unable to mount a comeback, dropping the set 25-12.

Set four was a back-and-forth battle. Quincy scored first but fell behind 5-1 after a five-point run by the Mavericks. The Hawks countered with a six-point streak, including two kills from Pye-Blacknard, to take a 14-7 lead. Momentum swung again, however, as MSU scored 11 straight points to go ahead 18-14. Quincy closed to within one point with a three-point run, but a final five-point surge from the Mavericks secured the 25-19 set win, handing Quincy a 3-2 loss and dropping the Hawks to 3-2 on the season.

Quincy was led by Beretti and Pye-Blacknard with 13 kills each, but the team hit just .167 with 20 errors. MSU controlled the match across all major statistics, defending their home court.

The Hawks will look to rebound tomorrow, taking on University of Minnesota Crookston at noon and Lake Superior State University at 4:00 PM to close out the Maverick Invite.