BOX SCORE

WAYNE, Neb. – After winning the first set, No. 12 Wayne State came back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State in five sets (25-16, 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-7). Brooke Burmeister provided a career-high 27 kills for the Mustangs, but it was not enough as SMSU falls to 13-5 overall, 7-2 in NSIC play. Wayne State improves to 13-5, 6-3 NSIC on the season.

Burmeister also tied a career-high with 21 digs in the match. SMSU had four individuals with double-digits in kills, led by Brittany Wenzel who finished with 28, and Kenzie Niesche who added a season-high 24 digs for SMSU.

After dropping the first set 16-25 on Wayne State's home floor, SMSU stormed back to take the next two sets, and a 2-1 lead.

Tali Fredrickson led the Wildcats with 21 kills and 24 digs in the match. Cori Hobbs added 15 kills and Melanie Placke pitched in with another 13 kills for Wayne State.

Trailing 7-9 in the second set, SMSU stormed back with a four-point run fueled by a service ace and three Mary Groth kills. The run allowed SMSU to take an 11-9 lead in the set, one it would not give up.

The Mustangs would take a five-point lead at 22-17 over the Wildcats on two more kills by Groth. Groth and freshman middle blocker Shelby Broders came up with a huge block assist fueling the Mustangs final run, and a 25-19 second set win.

With Wayne State leading 12-9 in the third set, the Mustangs used a four-point swing to take a 13-12 lead. SMSU extended its lead to 23-17 with a five-point run behind the serve of senior setter Cara Carson.

Carson finished the match with a season-high 59 set assists. The Mustangs finished the match with a .138 attack percentage, committing 35 errors in the match. Both teams were tough on defense, SMSU finished the match with a season-high 106 digs. SMSU went on to win the third set 25-20.    

SMSU looked to have the fourth set under control, jumping out to a 10-5 lead. The Wildcats stormed back with a four-point swing taking a 14-13 lead over SMSU. From that point on Wayne State would not lose the lead in the set going on to win the fourth 25-23.

It was all Wayne State in the fifth and final set. After SMSU grabbed an early 2-0 lead, the Wildcats went on to take 10 out of the next 13 points and a 10-6 lead.

The errors continued to pile up as the Mustangs committed eight errors in the final set. Fredrickson ended the match giving the Wildcats a 15-7 fifth set win with back-to-back kills.

Southwest Minnesota State returns home on Friday, Oct. 14, hosting St. Cloud State at the PE Gym beginning at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Mustangs welcome top-ranked Concordia-St. Paul at 3 p.m.