BOX SCORE

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team began the weekend road trip with a victory over Northern State in straight sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-14 . With the win, the Mustangs improved to 13-1 overall, 5-1 in NSIC play while Northern State fell to 6-8 overall, 1-5 in NSIC play.

SMSU took care of business in the first set as the Mustangs never trailed and cruised to a 25-16 set win. The Mustangs would hit .250 while holding Northern State to a -.043 hitting percentage.

In a much closer set, the Mustangs found themselves in an early 12-5 hole in set two. After taking its final timeout of the set, SMSU would manage to crawl out of the hole by rattling off five straight points to close the gap to 12-10. Freshman, Whitney Burmeister saw her first action of the season as she entered as a service substitute in the set and provided two service aces, with the later coming on set point. SMSU would eventually take the set 25-23.

Northern State would go quietly in the third set as SMSU would take its 18th straight set victory 25-14. SMSU hasn't lost a set since Sept. 14 against then ranked No. 3 Concordia-St. Paul.

SMSU was led by seniors Mary Groth and Devin Diedrich. Groth recorded 12 kills and a .231 hitting percentage, while Diedrich had a very strong match with 11 kills, three serving aces and four blocks to go with an impressive .474 hitting percentage. Emilee Gutzmer recorded 41 assists, while Rachel Westby led with 11 digs.

The Mustangs had a season-high nine service aces in the game, with Whitney Burmeister contributing five of the nine. Mary Groth (12), Devin Diedrich (11), and Abbey Thissen (10) all collected double-digit kills.

The Mustangs will continue action tomorrow in Moorhead, Minn., taking on MSU Moorhead at 5 p.m.