Box Score
BISMARCK, N.D. -
Cara Carson recorded 38 assists and
Devin Diedrich and
Mary Groth combined for 28 kills to lead No. 13 Southwest Minnesota State to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-16) conference victory over Mary Friday night in Bismarck, N.D.
The win, which was SMSU's sixth straight, moves the Mustangs to 24-7 (14-5 NSIC). U-Mary drops to 7-23 (1-18 NSIC).
Diedrich and Groth finished with 15 and 13 kills, respectively. The tandem was precise, too, posting just two attack errors between them. Groth checked in a with a .619 hitting percentage on the night, while Diedrich charted a .433 clip.
The 38-assist outing was Carson's ninth 30-plus assist match of the season.
Kenzie Niesche anchored a balance defensive performance on behalf of SMSU, digging up a team-high 11 balls. Four other Mustangs had at least seven digs.
The Mustangs, behind the serving of
Brittany Wenzel and
Crissi Schewe, went on an 11-1 run early in the opening set to cruise to a 10-point set victory.
SMSU used the momentum to kindle what turned into a blazing hitting performance in the ensuing set. The Mustangs hit .593 and got a pair of kills from Diedrich for the final points to notch a 25-18 set victory.
The offensive burst cooled, but didn't extinguish, in the closing set as SMSU broke away from a 7-7 tie to take a commanding lead down the stretch and seal the match.
The Mustangs didn't allow a single Marauder hitter to reach double figures.
SMSU finishes the regular season at Northern State tomorrow at 4 p.m.