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MARSHALL, Minn. - The No. 5 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team won its home opener 3-0 over No. 14 Minnesota State University by scores of 25-13, 25-23 and 25-21. The Mustangs are now 9-1, 2-0 NSIC while SMSU hands Minnesota State its first loss of the season. The Mavericks fall to 9-1, 1-1 NSIC.
Devin Diedrich led SMSU in its home opener. The junior had 15 kills and a .281 hitting percentage.
Brooke Burmeister contributed 14 kills of her own for the Mustangs. Burmeister also had 9 digs on the afternoon.
The Mustangs were tough in the first set not allowing MSU the chance to come away with the set. The Mustangs went on to with the first set 25-13.
Brittany Wenzel put the Mavericks into a tough spot with her serve. She served the Mustangs to six straight points towards a first set win for SMSU.
Mary Groth kept the Mavericks on their toes providing the Mustangs with a trio of attackers. Groth, Burmeister and Diederich all had double-digits in kills for SMSU.
The Mustangs came out firing in the second set. SMSU took a five point lead early in the set. The Mavericks came right back to tie the score at 10-10. The set would stay close all the way to the end with the Mustangs coming out on top 25-23.
Cara Carson added to her season total of assists. She added 43 assists tonight putting her season total to 442.
Sophomore
Kenzie Niesche led the Mustangs with 14 digs in tonight's match. She was followed up by Burmeister and Wenzel who both had nine digs this afternoon.
Minnesota State tried to make it a four set match when they came out and jumped to a 5-2 lead over the Mustangs. SMSU would eventually tie the set and take the lead. The two teams traded points right up to the end of the final set.
Rachel Westby started SMSU's final run with a service ace and went on to serve out the set. The Mustangs won the final set 25-21.
Southwest Minnesota State is now 9-1, 2-0 NSIC on the season. The Mustangs will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 21 when they host St. Cloud State at 7 p.m. at the PE Gym on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University.
