BOX SCORE

MOORHEAD, Minn. – The No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team extended its match winning streak to seven in a row as the Mustangs defeated the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons on Saturday evening, 25-17, 25-21, 29-31 and 25-20. SMSU improved to 14-1 overall, 6-1 in NSIC play, while MSUM dropped to 10-6 overall, 2-5 in NSIC play.

The Mustangs took the first two sets to tie the 2009 squad for most consecutive set victories with 20 dating back to Sept. 15. The 2009 Mustangs put together their streak of 20 consecutive straight victories from Sept. 25, 2009 to Oct. 10, 2009 – their streak was snapped in the third set of the Upper Iowa contest on Oct. 10, 2009.

In the third set, the Mustangs would have four match points but couldn't convert on any of the chances as the Dragons weathered the storm and eventually took the set 31-29. SMSU's streak of 20 straight set victories was snapped by MSUM's 31-29 set victory.

SMSU would not allow a Dragon comeback in the fourth set as the Mustangs would hold on for a 25-20 set victory and take the match.

Five Mustangs would record double-digit kill totals in the match with Devin Diedrich pounding a season-high 20, followed by Mary Groth (11), McKell Anderson (11), Brooke Burmeister (10) and Abbey Thissen with 10. Emilee Gutzmer notched 57 assists while Rachel Westby dug out 25 balls.

The Mustangs will return to the P.E gym for homecoming weekend for matches on Friday, Oct. 5 against Upper Iowa at 7 p.m. and Saturday against Winona State at 3 p.m.