BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State got strong performances from juniors Brooke Burmeister and Mary Groth, on its way to a 25-15, 26-24, 25-19 sweep over Augustana (S.D.) on Friday night in Sioux Falls.

SMSU improves to 13-4 on the season, including 7-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play while the Vikings fall to 10-6 on the season, 4-4 in NSIC play.

Burmeister and Groth fueled the Mustang offense throughout the night coming up with big kills, helping SMSU to its fifth NSIC road win on the season. Groth led all players in the match with 18 kills, while Burmeister added 17 kills for the Mustangs.

Cara Carson finished the match with 44 set assists. The senior setter also added seven digs, one solo and two block assists in the match. SMSU tallied eight blocks in the match, with Burmeister and freshman middle blocker Alyssa Taylor each pairing up for four block assists.

SMSU had the hot hand early in the first set jumping out to a 9-2 lead over the Vikings. Augie aided SMSU's early run committing five errors. The Mustangs used those free points to help build a 15-6 lead on four consecutive kills, two from Burmeister and two from Groth. SMSU went on to win the first set 25-15.   

After an even start to the second set, SMSU found itself down 8-9 before rallying off five consecutive points taking a 13-10 lead over the Vikings on their home court. Augie would not go away in the second set, following SMSU's run with a four-point swing of their own taking a 15-14 lead in the set.

The Mustangs kept firing back benefitting from two more four-point runs in the second set to take a 26-24, and a 2-0 lead heading into the third set.

Burmeister recorded her sixth double-double of the season coming up with 11 kills on defense. Kenzie Niesche led the Mustangs with 17 digs, and sophomore Rachel Westby added 13 digs on the night.

Groth got the Mustangs off to a strong start in the third set coming up with two big kills when the Mustangs trailed 2-0. SMSU used two short runs to take a 7-3 lead over the Vikings. Groth came up big once again later in the set. After a brief stop at 10-10, Groth rattled off three straight kills to give SMSU a 14-11 lead.

The Mustangs would not trail in the set from that point on, winning the third set 25-19, sweeping Augustana.

Southwest Minnesota State faces another tough opponent on the road tomorrow afternoon taking on No. 12 Wayne State. First serve is set for 4 p.m. at the Rice Auditorium in Wayne, Neb.