>Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. - The No. 3-seeded Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team upset top-seeded Minnesota Duluth by scores of 25-22, 16-25, 25-21 and 25-19 to capture the NCAA Central Region Championship and advance to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in program history.
 
SMSU (24-9) hit .197 in the match and put up 13 team blocks led by Sarah Parker as she recorded eight blocks in the match—four solo. UMD (33-2) was held to just .155 on the night with only nine team blocks.
 
Abbey Thissen and Eisha Oden recorded 14 kills while hitting .189 and .182, respectfully. Sarah Parker contributed 11 kills while hitting .259 and leading the Mustangs in blocks. Megan Larson powered the offense with her 44 assists and Whitney Burmeister paced the defense with 22 digs.
 
UMD charged out right away as the Bulldogs led 12-5 in the first set but the Mustangs offense stepped up and took control of the game as they took the led late at 20-19. SMSU went on to take the first set, 25-22.
 
In the second frame, the Mustangs started strong as they led 9-3 but the Bulldogs found ways to score and went on to take the lead 15-14 and shut down the Mustang offense the rest of the set as they only allowed SMSU score two more points. UMD took the second set, 25-16 to tie the match up a one game apiece.
 
Both teams traded points in the third set but a four-point and five-point run by the Mustangs put them ahead late at 22-16. UMD would go on and pull with in two points but kills from Claire Sames and Kenzie Beekman would close the set off, 25-21 in favor of SMSU.
 
Southwest Minnesota State would come out with more energy as it jumped out to a commanding 10-2 start in the fourth set. UMD tried to come back but the deficit was too much as the Mustangs took the set and match, 25-19.
 
Six Mustangs were named to the All-Tournament team: Kenzie Beekman, Whitney Burmeister, Sarah Parker, Eisha Oden and Abbey Thissen. Greta Geist was named honorary member of the All-Tournament team.
 
Southwest Minnesota State will travel to Louisville, Ky. to face the West Region Champion, Sonoma State (Calif.) on Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. EST.