Box Score

MARSHALL, MINN. - Kasey Loeslie had a match-high 16 kills to lead No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-16) conference victory over Mary Friday night in Marshall, Minn.

SMSU improves to 26-15 (15-4, NSIC), while Mary drops to 6-25 (4-15, NSIC).

Loeslie's hitting performance was downright stellar as the senior middle blocker got her 16 kills off 23 swings with two errors for a sparkling .609 hitting percentage.  Laura Hegerle and the NSIC's Freshman of the Year Devin Diedrich each finished with nine kills on the evening.

The defensive effort was was lead by a pair of Mustangs as Sarah Quiram and Cara Carson each dug up a team-high 14 balls.  Carson played her second consecutive game at right side, a change of scenery for the setter.  However, the move proved effective for the Mustangs with the freshman adding some speed to SMSU's front row and giving SMSU a strong defender at the position.

Sara Graf posted 30 assists in the victory.

The Mustang offense opened the game running on all cylinders, sending home 28 balls and grabbing a double-digit lead late that Mary was unable to slow.  Graf dumped over two balls in the closing points to get the host team a its final two points.

Behind the serving of Carson, rattled off 12 unanswered points in the second set to take a 19-8 lead.  That stampede was never quieted and the Mustangs rolled to the set victory. 

After holding the Marauders to just five kills in the set prior, SMSU put together a repeat performance in the third and final set, holding Mary to just six kills.  The strong play at the net by the Mustangs sealed the match victory.

The central story line for the Mustangs was their solid hitting as a team.  SMSU doubled the Marauders' kill output and hit an efficient .330 on the night.  Mary hit just .010 in the match.

SMSU finishes up the regular season tomorrow afternoon when Northern State travels to Marshall for a 4 p.m. conference match.