Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D – Devin Diedrich recorded a match-high 15 kills and Sara Graf had a match-high 43 assists to lead No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-11) victory over Northern State at the Augustana/SpringHill Suites Invitational Saturday afternoon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

SMSU, still perfect on the season, improves to 4-0. NSU drops to 2-2.

It was the same story, different day for the Mustangs offensively. Diedrich and fellow middle Mary Groth led the charge; Groth finished with 12 kills of her own. The two were extremely efficient as neither hit below .400. Tory Brouwer got into the act, too, going off for 11.

Graf coupled two service aces with her stellar play at setter.

Kenzie Niesche and Crissi Schewe spearheaded the defensive effort, digging up 17 and 14 balls, respectively.

It was a trio of Graf kills that were momentum builders and the knockout punch for SMSU in the opening set. The senior setter's first attack gave the Mustangs their first lead of the match at 7-6, while her second one stretched the SMSU lead to four at 12-8. Finally, Graf tipped the final ball of the set to give the Mustangs a 25-21 win.

The Wolves looked to be in control of the ensuing set, leading 20-15 late. An 8-2 run on SMSU's behalf turned into a successful rally. SMSU eventually took the lead at 21-20 via a kill from Brouwer. After a 22-22 tie, SMSU rattled off the final three points. A pair of Diedrich smashes was responsible for points 24 and 25.

The Mustangs were dominant in the final set, opening with a 7-1 run and closing with a 14-point advantage. SMSU terminated 15 balls with just 34 swings in the set.

SMSU's hitting steadily improved throughout the match. The Mustangs wrapped up with a .353 performance in the final set.

Kayla Ysteboe's 13 kills led NSU. Megan Gilbraith finished with 29 assists for the Wolves.

SMSU will travel to Denver, Colo., next weekend for the Colorado Premier Challenge.