BOX SCORE

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team got back to its winning ways this afternoon in a 3-0 sweep over Bemidji State. The Mustangs won by scores of 25-12, 25-23 and 25-20. Southwest Minnesota State improves to 11-2, 4-1 NSIC while Bemidji State falls to 8-4, 2-4 NSIC.

The Mustangs jumped out and earned the first five points of the match taking a 5-0 lead over the Beavers. Southwest Minnesota State stretched the score to an 8-1 lead before Bemidji State cut the lead to five a 9-4.

Devin Diedrich led the Mustangs in the first set against the Beavers. The junior had five kills and a .385 hitting percentage. Brooke Burmeister followed Diedrich's performance with four kills of her own. The two hitters led SMSU to a 25 to 12 first set win. The Mustangs had runs of four, five and six points in the first set.

Diedrich finished the day with 17 kills and a .350 hitting percentage. The middle blocker was the leading hitter in today's match.

SMSU found itself in familiar position with a five point lead of 6-1 early in the second set. Bemidji State came all the way back and took an eventual 11-9 lead over the Mustangs forcing head coach Terry Culhane to take a timeout to end BSU's rally.

Southwest Minnesota State came back to tie the score 14-14 on a kill by Diedrich right in the center of the court. Diedrich and Brigetta Berg teamed up for a double block to give the Mustangs a 15-14 lead. The set went right down to the wire with the Mustangs edging the Beavers by a score 25-23. Diedirch added five more kills for the Mustangs while Burmeister pitched in with four kills of her own.

Cara Carson led Southwest Minnesota State with 37 set assists this afternoon. She kept the Bemidji State defense on its toes adding four kills of her own. Kenzie Niesche was the top defender for the Mustangs notching a season-high 23 digs.

Brittany Wenzel and freshman Rachel Westby both had 14 digs for the Mustangs. Wenzel's 14 digs is a season-high for the junior defensive specialist.

Today was the eighth time this season that the Mustangs have swept their opponent in straight sets. Southwest Minnesota State won the third set 25-20 on its way to its fourth NSIC win of the season. The Beavers would not go away without a fight today forcing the Mustangs to earn both of their victories in the second and third sets.

The Mustangs will pick up action on Tuesday, Sept. 28 in a non-conference match-up against No. 6 Concordia University, St. Paul at 7 p.m. at the PE Gym in Marshall.