Box Score

MARSHALL, Minn. – The No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team (10-2, 4-0 NSIC) finished the opening weekend with a sweep over MSU Moorhead (5-7, 0-4 NSIC) on Saturday afternoon in the PE Gym as a part of State Farm Insurance Day.

SMSU hit .341 with 57 kills in the match while MSUM hit .230 with 32 kills.

SMSU's Angela Young led the match with 14 kills with Meg Schmidt and Lydia Sussner both contributing double-digits with 11 each.

Rachel Fink had 15 digs to lead the Mustang defense while Alisa Bengen paced the Mustangs with 29 assists.

Set one began with a back-and-forth battle before the Mustangs were able to grab the upper hand with a 17-11 advantage before the Dragons made it a one-point set with a four-point run. The Mustangs were able to finish to the end with three offensive plays as Zoe Lier, Sussner, and Young, all delivered kills to secure the victory for the Mustangs.

SMSU trailed 16-13 well into the second set before a seven-point run led by Angela Young at the line to serve would not only bring the Mustangs back in the game but a four-point lead late in the game. The Dragons would contend once again as three-point push would make it a one-point set at 23-22 as Fink and Young both remained steadfast at the net to put the Mustangs on top.

With the match victory in sight, the Mustangs were aided by four consecutive block assists from two-time all-conference player, Sarina Smith, with her counter-parts Schmidt and Young. The net play moved the momentum for SMSU as they would take the match 25-15.

Southwest Minnesota State (10-2, 4-0 NSIC) will return home next Friday at 6 p.m. versus Upper Iowa for the annual "red out" game and Saturday at 2 p.m. hosting Winona State.