BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

MARSHALL, Minn. - Abbey Thissen led the Southwest Minnesota State offensive attack that hit a season-high .354 in its sweep of Northern State on Friday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. Thissen hit a career-high .682 (17-2-22) to lead the Mustangs to set victories of 25-15, 25-21, 25-15.

In set one, SMSU scored six straight points to extend its lead to 8-2. Claire Sames' solo block to cap the rally forced third-year NSU head coach Brent Aldridge to take an early timeout. The timeout wouldn't slow the Mustangs as they cruised to a 25-15 set victory.

Set two was highlighted by the play of freshman Nico Schmidt who finished the set with five kills. SMSU would also turn to Thissen in the set when needed as she ripped eight of her 17 kills in the set. Schmidt and Thissen would lead SMSU to a 25-21 set win as Thissen slammed home the last three kills.

Just like set one, the Mustangs jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Claire Sames' kill capped a five-point rally that forced a NSU timeout. Later in the set, NSU would be forced to take its final timeout as SMSU would grow its lead to 19-11 on a Rachel Westby ace. Jessica Thelemann ended the match with an exclamation point as her solo block gave SMSU its 17th straight match victory over Northern State.

Thissen (17) and Whitney Burmeister (11) notched double-digit kills for the Mustangs, while Emilee Gutzmer collected 42 assists. Westby was solid in the back court with her 15 digs.

No. 9 SMSU (9-3, 4-0 NSIC) will be home tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. versus MSU Moorhead.