Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. - The No. 5 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team handed No. 2 Northern State its first loss of the season after a, 3-2 win on Saturday afternoon in the PE Gym. Mustangs won by scores of 25-14, 21-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-12.

The victory marks the Mustangs 10-straight win while defeating NSU for the 21st straight time. SMSU has now defeated six teams this season that are ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

The Mustangs started the match hitting a match-high .640 in the first frame while recording just one error. SMSU went on to finish hitting .310 as four Mustangs recorded double-digit kills while hitting over .300. Taylor Reiss racked up a team-high 19 kills hitting .390 while, Abbey Thissen cashed in on 18 kills hitting .306. Claire Sames and Kenzie Beekman both added 12 kills apiece while hitting .310 and .333, respectfully. Megan Larson had an efficient game as she paced the offense, dishing out a career-high 61 assists while also grabbing nine digs.

The SMSU defense held the Wolves to .256 in the match while also putting up 10 team blocks. Reiss led the effort with six blocks (1 solo; 5 assists) while Sames added four blocks. Whitney Burmeister led the defense with 24 digs, while Beekman recorded her first double-double of the season as the sophomore dug out 19 attacks to add to her double-digit kills.

The No. 5 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team will head on the road to Minot State and U-Mary next weekend.