Pioneers 1... Bismarck State 3 (24-26, 25-20, 19-25, 19-25)

The MCC Pioneers stood toe to toe with the nation's 18th ranked NJCAA DII Bismarck State Mystics for the 1st 2 games of Monday afternoon's MonDak Conference matchup. The Mystics then displayed more consistency over the final 2 games and walked out of the MCC Centra with a conference victory. 

Game 1 was an exciting back and forth tussle between the two teams. MCC took a 22-21 lead only to see the Mystics rattle off the next 3 points and have 2 game point opportunities that the Pioneers would squelch. MCC tied it up at 24-24 and BSC scored the final 2 points to win game 1. 

The Pioneers controlled the action in game 2 building an early 11-5 lead and holding at least a 4-point margin for the rest of the game to tie the match at 1-1. 

The Mystics got off to quick starts over games 3-4 and would hold off any rally the Pioneers could throw at BSC. 

Maria Stewart (Billings, MT) orchestrated the Pioneer offense with 42 assists. Ashtynn Egan (Colstrip, MT), Kodiann Lynn (Simms, MT), and Ruby Gray (Billings, MT) all had 11 kills at the net. Bailey Nowicki (Miles City, MT) had 2 service aces. Bree Swanson (Chinook, MT) led the Pioneers in digs with 33 while Kodiann Lynn had 2 blocks. 

MCC is now 5-6 overall and 1-2 in MonDak Conference play. The Pioneers will host Dakota College on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 PM and Williston State on Wednesday, September 13 at 7:00 PM.