BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. – No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State grabbed a 2-0 lead over No. 1 Concordia University, St. Paul, but dropped the next three sets falling to the top-ranked and unbeaten Golden Bears 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 15-25, 13-15 on Saturday afternoon in Marshall.

SMSU falls to 14-6 overall, and 8-3 in the NSIC while the Golden Bears remain a perfect 21-0, 12-0 in NSIC play.

Brooke Burmeister became the 11th member of the 1,000 kill club at Southwest Minnesota State, leading all players with 21 kills. Burmeister ranks 11th all-time at SMSU with 1,008 career kills. The junior outside hitter came up with her ninth double-double of the season with 17 digs.

Southwest Minnesota State jumped out to an early lead grabbing the first seven points of the match. The Mustangs never trailed in the first set walking to a 25-18 win. The Golden Bears fought their way back into the set with a four-point run to come within three at 12-9 in favor of SMSU.

Mary Groth, who finished the match with 18 kills, helped the Mustangs take a 17-10 lead with consecutive kills in a four-point run for SMSU.

The Mustangs kept the momentum rolling into the second set, gaining a 5-2 lead over the Golden Bears. CU climbed back into the set after three SMSU attack errors in a five-point run for the Golden Bears. Freshman middle blocker Alyssa Taylor drilled three consecutive kills, helping SMSU to an 18-13 lead. Taylor finished the match with a career-high 12 kills.

Rachel Westby also reached double-digits in kills for the Mustangs. Westby earned her fifth double-double of the season leading SMSU with 18 digs.

Southwest Minnesota State would never hold a lead in the third set, as the Golden Bears used an early four-point run to take a 9-5 lead over the Mustangs. Burmeister kept the Mustangs close, connecting on three consecutive kills, bringing SMSU within two at 15-13 in favor of CU.

With the Golden Bears holding a two-point lead at 23-21 over the Mustangs, a service error by SMSU gave Concordia-St. Paul the serve taking the momentum out of the comeback. The Golden Bears went on to win the third set 25-22.

The Golden Bears took SMSU's Burmeister out of the game in the fourth set, limiting her to just one kill. Concordia-St. Paul finished the match with 12 team blocks, compared to SMSU's three. Cara Carson led all players with 59 set assists.

Concordia-St. Paul dominated the fourth set, using an eight-point run on its way to a 25-15 fourth set victory.

SMSU grabbed a 2-0 lead to begin the fifth set, but the Golden Bears stormed back to take the next five points and a 5-2 lead.

The Mustangs kept eating away at the Golden Bears lead but was not able to come all the way back falling 15-13 in the final set.  

Southwest Minnesota State returns to NSIC play on Tuesday, Oct. 18, hosting Augustana (S.D.) beginning at 7 p.m. at the PE Gym.