Box Score

DENVER, Colo. - The No. 15 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team (4-1) defeated No. 9 Tarleton State (Texas) (3-2) in a five-set victory on Friday afternoon to open pool-play in the Colorado Premier Challenge. 

After falling in the first set 25-22, Mustangs picked up the next sets by scores of 25-23 and 28-26. TSU then forced the match into the fifth set with a 25-21 win before the Mustangs finished the match with a 15-11 final in the fifth set. 

SMSU closed the match hitting .276 with 79 kills while recording 11 blocks. TSU finished the match hitting .249 with 68 kills and registered 14 blocks.

SMSU's offensive was led by Meg Schmidt with 19 kills and a .350 hitting percentage while the defense was led by Payton Hjerleid with 27 digs. Alisa Bengen dished out 44 assists and Emma Thomssen added 22. 

The Mustangs had four other players reach double figures in kills with Angela Young (17), Jenna Walczak (12), Zoe Lier (11) and Sarina Smith (10) rounding out the balanced attack.

The fifth set was tied 9-9 before the Mustangs went on a five-point run to gain a 14-9 lead. Walczak started the rally with kill and was followed by a sercie ace by Hjerleid. Following a TSU hitting error, Young and Walczak recorded back-to-back kills to give SMSU a 14-9 edge. Following two points by TSU, Walczak recorded her fourth kill of the set to seal the victory.

Southwest Minnesota State will continue play tonight facing MSU Denver at 7 p.m. CDT. MSU Denver and Tarleton State will play at 3:30 p.m. CDT in another Pool 1 match.