Thief River Falls, Minn. - 

Alexandria Technical & Community College won the final two points of the fifth set to break what had been a 13-13 tie and claim a 3-2 five-set win over Northland Wednesday night in the Northland Gym. 
The five-set loss is the second in the last three weeks  to a top-three team in the MCAC North for the Pioneers. The Pioneers (4-6, 10-10) are currently fourth in the MCAC North, trailing Central Lakes (9-1, 16-7), Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range (9-2, 17-6) and Alexandria (8-2, 14-6). With the loss Wednesday night, the Pioneers fell to a combined 0-6 against the top three teams in the MCAC North. 
The Pioneers were swept by the Legends when the teams met in Alexandria on Sept. 13, with the Legends winning 25-10, 25-16, 26-24. 
The rematch was much more competitive. The Pioneers took a 10-5 lead early in the opening set. The Legends seemed to take control, winning 16 of the next 21 points to go in front 21-15. The Pioneers rallied to tie the set at 21, with the teams trading small runs and side outs until the Pioneers emerged with a 26-24 opening-set win. 
The Pioneers got off to a slow start in the second set but rallied to get within one point of the Legends with a 15-14 set score. The Legends went on to win 10 of the last 11 points to take the second set 25-15. 
The Pioneers again struggled to find consistency in the third set and trailed for most of the set. The Legends eventually went on a late run to close out the set 25-18 to take a 2-1 lead. 
With their backs against the wall, the Pioneers gained control early and the match seemed destined for a fifth set with the Pioneers up 20-15 late. The Legends are a hard team to put away, however and they quickly rallied to tie the set at 20. The Pioneers answered with a 4-1 run to go up 24-21, but the Legends again tied the set with three unanswered points to make it 24-24. The Pioneers got a much-needed side out to make it 25-24 and Riley Gust provided the set-winning kill to make it 26-24. 
The Pioneers got off to tough start in the fifth set and the Legends took advantage by winning eight of the first 10 points. 
After switching sides, the Pioneers went on a 4-0 run to cut the Legends' lead to 8-6. The Legends won three of the next four points to take an 11-7 lead. The Pioneers won six of the next seven to take a 13-12 lead. 
Following a timeout to regroup, the Legends got a much-needed side out and back-to-back service points to win the set 15-13. 
Five-set tested
The Pioneers have played six five-set matches so far during the 2023 season. They won their first two five-set matches to start the year but have now dropped four straight. 
Pioneers control playoff destiny
With two MCAC North matches remaining, the Pioneers control their own destiny when it comes to making to the postseason for a sixth consecutive season. The Pioneers travel to Minnesota North College - Itasca Friday night as part of a two-day trip to Grand Rapids. The Pioneers will also play Goegebic Community College in a non-conference match Saturday. 
The Pioneers wrap up the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 18 at home against Minnesota North College - Rainy River. Opening serve is set for 6:30 p.m.

Alexandria 3, Northland 2
• Scores - Alexandria def. Northland 24-26, 25-15, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13.
• Assists - Sunny Edin 47, Grace Loeslie 2, Jada Kosmatka 1, Giselle Cole 1. 
• Kills - Allyson Hart 22, Riley Gust 15, Giselle Cole 12, Madysen Nordstrom 5.  
• Service Aces - Madysen Nordstrom 2, Sunny Edin 2.
• Blocks (solo-assist) - Giselle Cole 3-2, Allyson Hart 2-1, Grace Loeslie 1-0, Riley Gust 0-2, Sunny Edin 0-1.
• Digs - Jada Kosmatka 23, Allyson Hart 21, Madysen Nordstrom 14, Sunny Edin 13, Grace Loeslie 12, Giselle Cole 2, Kennedy Wallace 1, Riley Gust 1, Clowie Magnell 1.