The Valley City State volleyball team turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory over Mount Marty on Friday at the Charger Invite, hosted by Briar Cliff. Mount Marty took the first two sets 25-23 and 25-23 before the Vikings answered back with the next three, 25-23, 25-14 and 15-9.
 
The Vikings proved strong at the net Friday, holding a 65-52 kill advantage, and totaling 11 blocks to Mount Marty's 5.5. Five Vikings posted double-figure kills, led by Emma Lucas with 15. Danielle Hagler led VCSU's blocking effort with seven total blocks (6 assisted, 1 solo), and added 11 kills.
 
VCSU is now 2-1 overall and handed Mount Marty its first loss of the season, who is now 4-1. The Vikings play two more games at the Charger Invite on Saturday at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City, Iowa. VCSU will face tournament-host Briar Cliff at 10 a.m. followed by Mount Mercy at 12 p.m.
 
Additional Vikings posting double-figure kills Friday include Bailey Nelson (12), Morgan Freije (11) and Mardi Sctutchings (11). Sadie Hansen helped the offense with 54 set assists in the match and added 15 digs. Freije, Nelson and Hansen also contributed three assisted blocks apiece.
 
Delani Clarke led the defense while tying her career-high 26 digs while JayCee Richter and Gracie Schumacher each chipped in nine.
 
The Lancers took an early 2-0 lead after a pair of close sets. After trailing most of the way in set one, Mount Marty took the final three points to secure the 25-23 win. Set two featured 10 ties before the Lancers finished with four of the final six points to earn another win, 25-23.
 
From there, it was all VCSU as the Vikings tallied a match-high 16 kills to gain momentum in the third set.  A 5-1 Viking run helped the Vikings to a 15-11 lead. Mount Marty would close the gap to 23-23, but Bailey Nelson and Morgan Freije kills would finish the 25-23 set in favor of the Vikings.
 
The Vikings handily took the fourth set with the help of an 11-1 rally – both started and finished by kills from Freije – to win the set, 25-14. After opening the fifth set with a narrow 8-7 lead, VCSU finished the match with a 7-2 run and Hagler put it away on a final kill assisted by Hansen.