Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - Mary Groth recorded a match-high 14 kills and Cara Carson dished out a career-high 44 assists to lead No. 14 Southwest Minnesota State to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-12) victory over Winona State Tuesday night in Marshall, Minn.

SMSU moves to 13-5 (3-3 NSIC), while WSU drops to 4-13 (2-4 NSIC).

Groth's 14-kill outing went along with a .440 hitting performance and five blocks.  Devin Diedrich also had 13 kills for the Mustangs.  Five different SMSU hitters had at least five kills.

A career night for Carson in the assist category was complimented by eight digs and three blocks from the sophomore.

Crissi Schewe was tops in the digs column for SMSU with 10.  She also had seven kills and a pair of service aces in the win.

The Mustang offense ignited early and stayed throughout the opening set.  SMSU posted a .500 hitting percentage in the opening set and paired it with runs of 6-1 and 9-1 to cruise to a 10-point set victory.

The Warriors, however, answered with a 6-1 run of their own in the ensuing set to erase a seven-point deficit and take a 15-14 lead.  But that would be the last time SMSU would trail for the rest of the set; WSU's hitters slumped, recorded five attack errors late and allowed the Mustangs to snag the set win.

Another efficient performance from SMSU's offense--this one a .400 set hitting average--allowed the Mustangs to turn a double-figure lead in the final set.  Brooke Burmeister's kill at 19-10 gave the Mustangs a 10-point advantage.  More attack errors from WSU meant a 13-point set victory and the match win for SMSU.

SMSU had little trouble offensively, posting a .366 hitting percentage and bettering the Warriors 49-29 in kills.

Carmen Stankowski's seven kills and 12 digs and Victoria Weatherly's 21 assists led WSU.

SMSU is on the road this weekend, traveling to Minnesota State Moorhead on Friday and Minnesota, Crookston on Saturday.