BOX SCORE

CROOKSTON, Minn. – A night after Minnesota, Crookston (7-9, 2-5 NSIC) defeated No. 13-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato, No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State (12-4, 6-1 NSIC) walked into Lysaker Gymnasium and swept the Golden Eagles 25-19, 25-17, 25-19.

SMSU junior middle blocker Mary Groth led Southwest Minnesota State with a match-leading 17 kills while freshman middle blocker Alyssa Taylor added 10 kills and a season-high .529 attack percentage. The Mustangs finished the match with a .343 team attack percentage.

In an even first set, Southwest Minnesota State pulled away with a seven-point run to take a 19-12 lead. Brooke Burmeister fueled the run picking up five of her 13 kills during the stretch. The Mustangs went on to win the first set 25-19.

SMSU gained momentum in the second set with a six-point run that was in the middle of the Mustangs taking 11 of 13 points, and a 15-7 lead over the Golden Eagles.

Cara Carson finished the match with 44 set assists. The senior added eight digs and one block assist for the Mustangs. Sophomore Rachel Westby led the back row for the Mustangs with 15 digs.

Steady play to begin the third set helped SMSU jump out to a 15-8 lead. Groth provided three consecutive kills for the Mustang offense helping SMSU jump out to the lead.

The Golden Eagles made a comeback coming within three at 18-15 in favor of SMSU, but the Mustangs would pull away with a 25-19 third set win.

Southwest Minnesota State will continue NSIC play on the road next weekend taking on Augustana (S.D.) at 7 p.m. on Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D. before traveling to Wayne, Nebraska to square-off with No. 10 Wayne State at 4 p.m. on Sunday.