BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY  | POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

MARSHALL, Minn. - For the sixth straight match, the No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team swept an opponent as the Mustangs defeated Upper Iowa in straight sets on Saturday afternoon. SMSU earned the match victory with set scores of 25-12, 25-13 and 25-17.

The victory was 10th year head coach Terry Culhane's 250th career win (250-66).

SMSU improved its season record to 14-3 overall, 9-0 in the NSIC with the win, while UIU dropped to 6-12, 2-7 in the NSIC. It was the 17th win for SMSU in a series that the Mustangs have never lost.

The Mustangs were led by performances from Claire Sames and Abbey Thissen as they each finished with 12 and 13 kills, respectively. The offense was smooth and efficient as SMSU combined to hit .363 and owned a 81 percent sideout percentage.

The Mustangs dominated the match as they surrendered the lead just one time which came in set two.

Emilee Gutzmer was aggressive at the net finishing with two kills on four attacks and she also paced the offense with 38 assists. Rachel Westby picked up 12 digs. Abbey Thissen had a career-high five service aces in the match, including back-to-back aces on two separate occasions.

The consecutive set wins extended SMSU's consecutive set winning streak to 19. SMSU hasn't lost a set since Sept. 14 versus Sioux Falls.

SMSU will take a 10-match winning streak on the road next weekend when the Mustangs will face Minnesota State and No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul.