Valley City State took a big first set from Mayville State Sunday but couldn't hold on as the Vikings fell 3-1 to the Comets, 27-29, 25-15, 26-24, 25-20.

Valley City State tallied more kills (53-50), assists (51-43), and aces (5-4) than Mayville State, but it wasn't enough in the non-conference match.

The Vikings and Comets went back and forth in an exciting first set Sunday, holding a tie 17 times and trading the lead eight times. Valley City State trailed 24-23 when back-to-back kills from Caitlyn Fischbach and Maara Nelson gave them the advantage and first set-point opportunity. A Viking error answered with a Comet error brought another opportunity for the Vikings to take the set. The Comets would even it up two more times, but the Vikings finished with a kill by Katie Juarez and solo block from Nissa Johnson, taking set one 29-27.

The second set started out close with the Vikings only trailing by two at 12-10, but the Comets took a 7-1 run to take a big lead at 19-11. Valley City State wouldn't come back as they dropped the second set, 25-15.

The third set was another back and forth battle for the advantage as neither team led by more than three points throughout the set. A kill from Bailey Nelson tied things up at 24-24 but a service error and Comet kill gave Mayville State the set, 26-24.

Mayville State looked to secure the win early in set four, holding an early lead. The Vikings rallied back with a 7-1 run to take their first advantage of the game at 12-11, capped by an ace from Caitlyn Fischbach. From there, the Comets took back control to match-point at 24-18. An attack error gave the Vikings a chance, followed by a kill from Johnson to bring the Vikings within four but still fell short as a final kill from Victoria Johnson gave the Comets the match.

Katie Juarez led the Vikings with 27 digs, 15 kills, and two ace serves. Bailey Nelson added 11 kills and 7 blocks, while senior Nissa Johnson added eight kills and nine blocks.

Clarissa Hilary added 46 assists and 11 digs, and Caitlyn Fischbach added 12 kills for the Vikings.

Victoria Johnson led the Comet offense with 14 kills. Elora Passa tallied 10 kills, 16 assists, and 13 digs for Mayville State. Mason Hart tallied a team-high 26 digs for the Comets while Amy Seim added 22. Rachel Hill tallied 23 assists for Mayville State.