BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. - No. 3 Southwest Minnesota State defeated Minnesota, Crookston in straight sets this afternoon by scores of 25-13, 25-22 and 25-11. The Mustangs improve to 14-2, 6-1 NSIC while UMC drops to 0-15, 0-7 NSIC.

Devin Diedrich led the offensive attack for SMSU picking up 21 kills and season-high .645 hitting percentage. Mary Groth picked up 14 kills for the Mustangs in the 3-0 win over the Golden Eagles.

Three Mustangs had double-figures in digs in today's match. Cara Carson led that group with 13 digs. The junior also added 35 set assists. Freshman Rachel Westby finished just behind Carson with 12 digs of her own. Westby also added two kills and three service aces.

The Golden Eagles gave Soutwest Minnesota State a tough second set matching the Mustangs point-for-point. SMSU eventually went on to win the second set 25-22 on a kill by sophomore Brooke Burmeister. Burmeister finished the match with eight powerful kills. The sophomore also added 10 digs this afternoon.

Southwest Minnesota State jumped out to an early 10-3 lead over UMC in the third set. The Mustangs kept the pressure on the Golden Eagles winning the third and final set 25-11.

The Mustangs are now 23-1all-time against Minnesota, Crookston. Head coach Terry Culhane remains perfect against UMC improving to 14-0 as the leader of the SMSU volleyball program.