Wayne State took down NSIC foe Upper Iowa in Norther Sun conference action 25-23, 30-28, 25-23 Friday evening in Rice Auditorium in Wayne. WSC improves to 17-3 and 10-2 in conference action while Upper Iowa falls to 15-6 and 8-4 in league play.
            The Wildcats did not trail during the first stanza forcing an Upper Iowa timeout at the 14-9 mark in the set. The Peacocks managed to tie the set at 21-21. Wayne State scored four of the final six points, taking the set 25-23. Redshirt freshman middle hitter Maggie Brahmer took charge of the first set and had six kills and an error on 11 swings.
            The second set saw eight lead changes and 13 ties and with Upper Iowa leading 11-7, forced a WSC timeout. The 'Cats and Peacocks knotted up the score at 20-20 and went point for point, with neither team allowing the other any breathing room. WSC used a kill from redshirt freshman middle hitter Taya Beller to take the set 30-28. Beller led WSC offensively with eight kills and one error on 10 attacks in the set.
            During the third frame Upper Iowa maintained control throughout the set that featured three ties and only one lead change. The 'Cats first lead of the set came at the 24-23 mark and used a service ace from Kelsie Cada to take the final set 25-23. Beller had three blocks in the frame to help WSC secure the victory.
            Wayne State hit .248 in the match and held Upper Iowa to a .200 attack percentage. The Peacocks had 10 more kills than the 'Cats 47-37 and 11 more digs (54-43) in the match. Wayne State held a significant advantage in blocks during the match 11-3.
            Wayne State was led offensively by Brahmer with 14 kills and Beller with 13. Setter Rachel Walker had 34 set assists in the match and joined Brahmer and Beller in leading the 'Cats in blocks, each having five.
            The Wildcats will be in action again Saturday afternoon hosting #12 Winona State in Rice Auditorium starting at 1 p.m.