BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. - Abbey Thissen slammed 17 kills to lead No. 1 Southwest Minnesota State over Augustana on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs swept the Vikings with scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 25-18. With the win, SMSU improves to 25-1 overall, 17-1 in NSIC play, while the Vikings drop to 17-10 overall, 11-7 in NSIC play.

SMSU's victory was the 13th consecutive match win over Augustana dating back to 2005, it also extended SMSU's match winning streak to 18 matches (school record).

The Mustangs combined to hit .276 as a team while only committing 16 errors. SMSU turned to freshman right side hitter, Abbey Thissen as she had a very strong match with a match-high 17 kills. Brooke Burmeister followed with 14 kills as she is closing in on her 1500th career kill. Mary Groth added seven kills, Devin Diedrich had six kills and McKell Anderson rounded out the attack with four kills.

The match consisted of 16 tied scores and six lead changes but SMSU never failed to drop a set.

SMSU continues to hold opponents to a low hitting percentage this season, as Augustana committed 16 errors and only managed a .129 hitting percentage. A trio of Vikings led the way offensively, as Courtney Ysker, Taylor Hrdlichka, and Holly Hafemeyer all had nine kills each. Grace Sanders led Augie defensively with 15 digs.

Defensively for the Mustangs, Rachel Westby, Emille Gutzmer and Whitney Burmeister all provided double-digit dig totals as Westby led with 15, Gutzmer collected 13 and Burmeister finished with 11. Emilee Gutzmer notched her seventh career-double in the win as the freshman setter recorded 43 assists and 13 digs.

The Mustangs will wrap-up the regular season at home this weekend as SMSU hosts No. 20 Minnesota State on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. and No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. Friday's night match is senior night as the Mustangs will pay tribute to Mary Groth, Devin Diedrich and Brooke Burmeister and Saturday's match is parents night.