SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — In one of the most dramatic victories in program history, No. 10 MSU Denver battled past No. 5-seeded Wingate in a five-set classic (24-26, 25-16, 15-25, 25-22, 15-13) on Thursday evening to advance to the NCAA Division II National Semifinal for the first time ever.
With the win, the Roadrunners improved to 30-3 overall and extended their winning streak to 21 straight matches. MSU Denver is also the first RMAC program to reach the national semifinal since Regis did it in 2019.
Wingate opened the match with the early composure expected from a team riding a 30-match win streak, edging out a tight first set 26–24. But MSU Denver immediately countered with one of its most dominant defensive frames of the season in the second, holding the Bulldogs to .083 hitting in a 25–16 response to even things up.
The Bulldogs surged back in the third, capitalizing on MSU Denver miscues and controlling tempo in a 25–15 win — putting the Roadrunners on the ropes.
As this program has done all season, MSU Denver answered with resolve. Trailing 2–1 in the match and 17–15 in the fourth set, the Roadrunners flipped momentum with a relentless back-row effort and clutch swings late, closing on a 10–5 run to force the decisive fifth.
MSU Denver jumped ahead early in the fifth, only for Wingate to claw back and tie it at 13–13. The Roadrunners refused to break — scoring the final two points to secure a 15–13 victory and punch their ticket to the national semifinal.
"That was an amazing match and I am just so proud of my team," head coach Jenny Glenn said postgame. "From the first day of preseason we talked about having to stay down on defense and stay disciplined in that space, and we don't beat that team without that tonight."
MSU Denver delivered a season-high 101 digs, their most in a match since posting 113 against CSU Pueblo in 2022. Five different Roadrunners hit double-digit digs.
Freshman setter/opposite Karyna Werley led the way with a career-high 26 digs — the most by any Roadrunner this season — while also adding 8 kills, 23 assists, and a block in another all-around performance on the biggest stage.
When senior All-American Annika Helf exited due to injury after the second set, junior Megan Hagar was thrust into the biggest moment of her career — and delivered.
Hagar finished with 9 kills, 14 digs, 2 block assists, and an ace, stabilizing the offense and sparking MSU Denver's comeback.
"Megan was fully prepared to step in. She played a lot earlier in the season, and did just a great job tonight," Glenn stated. "I'm proud of her for having confidence while being on the biggest stage we've ever played on."
Freshman outside hitter Brooke Gennerman shined yet again with 17 kills, her second-highest total this season, while adding 6 digs and steady offense throughout the five sets.
Middle blocker Alyssa Boyte, the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year, anchored the net with 5 total blocks and hit an efficient .350 on 9 kills to help slow a powerful Wingate offense.
Junior setter GabriElle Brewer posted another double-double with 33 assists and 10 digs, while libero Mia Accomazzo continued her elite postseason play with 22 digs and four service aces.
"We just have so much belief in what we're doing," Accomazzo said. "It doesn't waver no matter what."
MSU Denver advances to play the winner of Tampa vs. Ferris State on Friday at 6 p.m. MT with a berth in the national championship match on the line.
