SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team defeated the University of Sioux Falls 3-0  on Tuesday night with set wins of 25-12, 25-21, 25-21. SMSU improves to 19-1 overall, 11-1 in NSIC play, while USF drops to 10-11 overall, 2-10 in NSIC play. 

The win marks the first defeat the Mustangs have issued since claiming the No. 1 ranking in the AVCA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The win over USF is the 15th time this season the Mustangs have swept the opponent, with two of the sweeps coming over the Cougars.
 
SMSU surrendered the lead just three times throughout the entire match as the Mustangs held USF to a .111 attack percentage. Devin Diedrich led the Mustangs with a match-high 12 kills, while teammate Mary Groth followed with 10 kills. Emilee Gutzmer led the Mustangs with 22 assists in two sets, while Jenna Duddleston tallied 13 assists of her own in the third set. Rachel Westby collected a match-high 11 digs. 

SMSU will return to the PE Gym this weekend as they take on the University of Mary Marauders for the 2nd annual "Red Out" on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The first 500 fans will receive a free "Red Out" t-shirt promoting heart disease awareness. The Mustangs will finish the weekend with a match versus Minot State on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m.