Hibbing, MN - The Northland Community & Technical College volleyball team's weekend began with a five-set win at Mesabi Range on Friday night and it ended with a five-set loss at Hibbing Saturday afternoon. 

The win over the Lady Norse on Friday night guaranteed the Pioneers would return to Thief River Falls at the conclusion of the weekend in the top three in the MCAC Northern Division. The Lady Norse claimed the first two sets by scores of 25-15 and 28-26. The Pioneers rallied to win the final three sets 25-21, 25-20 and 15-13. Finishing in double figures for the Pioneers were Madison Witte 21 kills and 10 digs; Vivian Coan 12 kills; Chloe Kuznia 43 assists and 13 digs; Kylie Solheim 20 digs and Cassidy Corbett 13 digs. 

A win over the Cardinals on Saturday would have given the Pioneers sole possession of second place in the MCAC Northern Division and a strong chance at the number two seed in the Region 13B Tournament. The teams traded sets throughout the match, with the host Cardinals claiming the opening set 25-23. The Pioneers answered with a 25-15 win in set number two. The Cardinals won set number three 25-17. The Pioneers again answered, this time with a 25-19 win to force a fifth set, which was claimed by the Cardinals 15-11. 

Much like Friday's five-set win, the Pioneers had huge days from Kuznia 42 assists and 12 digs; Witte 17 kills; Madison Paulson 10 kills; Solheim 20 digs; and  Corbett 13 digs. 

Up next for the Pioneers (6-4 MCAC North, 7-9 overall) is a trip to Grand Rapids on Wednesday to play the Itasca Vikings (1-8 MCAC North, 4-8 overall)

Northland 3, Mesabi Range 2

• Scores - Northland wins 15-25, 26-28, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13
• Assists - Chloe Kuznia 43, Madison Witte 1. 
• Kills - Madison Witte 21, Vivian Coan 12, Chloe Kuznia 9, Cassidy Corbett 7, Liberty Johnson 4, Madison Paulson 3. 
• Service Aces - Vivian Coan 4, Chloe Kuznia 3, Madison Paulson 3, Madison Witte 2, Liberty Johnson 2.
• Blocks (Solo-Assist) - Cassidy Corbett 0-1, Madison Witte 0-1, Vivian Coan 0-1, Liberty Johnson 0-1.
• Digs - Kylie Solheim 20, Chloe Kuznia 13, Cassidy Corbett 13, Madison Witte 10, Haven Beckett 8, Vivian Coan 5, Madison Paulson 3, Liberty Johnson 2. 

Hibbing 3,  Northland 2

• Scores - Hibbing wins 25-23, 15-25, 25-17, 19-25, 15-11
• Assists - Chloe  Kuznia 42, Cassidy Corbett 2, Madison Witte 1, Kylie Solheim 1.
• Kills - Madison Witte 17, Madison  Paulson 10, Vivian Coan 9, Cassidy Corbett 7, Chloe Kuznia 4, Liberty Johnson 2.
• Service Aces - Cassidy Corbett 1, Madison Witte 1, Vivian Coan 1, Liberty Johnson 1.
• Blocks (Solo-Assist) - Madison  Witte 3-2, Liberty Johnson 1-0, Chloe Kuznia 1-0, Vivian Coan 0-3, CassIdy Corbett 0-1. 
• Digs - Kylie Solheim 20, Cassidy Corbett 13, Chloe Kuznia 12, Haven Beckett 6, Madison Paulson 6, Madison Witte 4, Vivian Coan 4, Liberty Johnson 4