BOX SCORE

MANKATO, Minn. - No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State swept its school record seventh straight opponent and extended its consecutive set winning streak to 22 with its 3-0 match victory over Minnesota State on Friday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. The previous records were six consecutive sweeps and 19 consecutive set victories set by both the 2009 and 2012 squads.

SMSU (15-3, 10-0 NSIC) hasn't lost a set since Sept. 24 versus Sioux Falls.

In set one the Mustangs led early through the set but would relinquish the lead at the halfway point when MSU's Lexi Platz knotted the score up at 12-12. The two teams would go-back-and-forth to the 16-16 point until SMSU rattled off two straight points behind a Sarah Parker kill and a Maverick attack error. SMSU would be forced to take a timeout to stop the bleeding as the lead would slip in favor of the Mavericks at 19-18. Facing a Maverick set point at 24-23, SMSU defended well and turned to McKell Anderson for one of her 11 kills on the night. With the set tied at 25 SMSU rallied with two consecutive points to take the set behind kills from Abbey Thissen and Claire Sames.

SMSU would take a 9-5 comfortable lead in set two and forced a Minnesota State timeout. The lead would blossom to 21-13 but the Mavericks wouldn't go quietly. MSU would go on a 9-2 run to take some wind out of SMSU's sail and push the score to 23-21.  The Mustangs regrouped and would string together back-to-back points, including a Rachel Westby service ace to cap the set victory.

SMSU got off to a slow start in set three as the Mustangs fell behind 8-5 and were forced to take a timeout. A Tiana Runk attack error would tie the score up at 11-11 and from there the Mustangs would go on a tear – scoring six of the next eight points. The 17-13 lead would be all SMSU would need as it cruised to a 25-17 set victory and its seventh straight sweep.
SMSU forced 20 MSU attack errors in the match and were only blocked three times – a season low.

SMSU was led by Anderson's 11 kills on 22 attacks (.364). Claire Sames followed with nine kills and Whitney Burmeister chipped in eight kills and 11 digs. Sarah Parker finished with a career-high .545 hitting percentage (7-1-11). Emilee Gutzmer put up 40 assists and setup SMSU to a .234 hitting percentage.

SMSU will look to upset No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul tomorrow afternoon at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn. SMSU played nine matches at the Gangelhoff center last season, finishing 7-2, including a win over the Golden Bears.