>Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. – No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State (10-5, 5-2 NSIC) earned its third straight sweep Friday night as they took down Minot State (3-12, 1-6 NSIC) by scores of 25-16, 26-24, 25-23.

Kenzie Beekman led the Mustangs with 11 kills on 25 attempts to post a .320 on the night. Abbey Thissen and Claire Sames contributed nine and seven kills, respectfully. The Mustangs hit .333 in the match and totaled seven blocks.

Megan Larson powered the offense as she dished out 25 assists and also four blocks—one solo.

In set one, Minot State kept up with SMSU's high-powered offense as there were a game-high 13 tie scores and 7 lead changes. MISU kept it close until back-to-back kills by Brooke Borchardt put the Mustangs up 16-14. Seven straight points eventually led to SMSU closing the set, 25-16.

Set two was just like the first, Minot State kept with SMSU until a few attack errors by the Beavers put the Mustangs up 17-12 going into a Minot State timeout. Southwest Minnesota State lead 23-18 in the set but Minot State did not give up. The Beavers charged back with five straight points to tie it up. But a kill and service ace from Eisha Oden helped closed the set 26-24 in favor of SMSU.

In the final set, Minot State cruised out to a 6-1 lead but the Mustangs retaliated with five straight points to tie it back up 6-6. Minot State kept it close and went ahead late in the set 16-15 but a few attack errors and kills from a trio of Mustangs lead the Beavers to lose the lead and final set. SMSU went on to close set three, 25-23.

Southwest Minnesota State will continue NSIC action tomorrow as it hosts the University of Mary starting at 3 p.m. in the PE Gym.