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.