HAYS, Kan. – The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team won their sixth in a row, this time defeating Fort Hays State 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, to conclude the first day of the Fort Hays Classic on Friday. 
 
Angela Young recorded the first SMSU double-double of the season, recording 17 kills and 14 digs, while Emma VanHeel continued a strong start to her freshman campaign with 12 kills and seven blocks, and Meg Schmidt added 16 kills, seven digs, five blocks, and two aces. 
 
The Mustangs found themselves in unfamiliar territory, losing set one 25-22. The set was even until the Mustangs led 17-16, as an 8-2 run powered the Tigers to a 24-19 lead that would be closed out four points later. SMSU struggled, hitting a season low 0% with 11 errors, while FHSU rode a .143% to victory. 
 
The second set was different, as the Mustangs used a 12-5 run to close out a 25-20 victory to even the match a 1-1. SMSU nearly cut their errors in half from the first set, limiting to six and hitting .256% against the .189% of the Tigers. 
 
The Mustangs then rode a 7-3 run to defeat the Tigers in the third set 25-21. SMSU held a 15-9 kill advantage, and outhit FHSU .263%-.114% to win in spite of 11 errors. 
 
SMSU concluded the match with another hard-fought victory, 25-22. In a set that didn't see a lead greater than four, The Mustangs held an upper hand thanks to two different 3-0 runs, while the Tigers only saw one such run. 
 
Alisa Bengen recorded 47 assists and ten digs, and Payton Hjerleid picked up 17 digs to help pace the defense. 
 
SMSU has now won six in a row to begin the season, and will take on Emporia State and Adams State to conclude the Fort Hays Classic on Saturday.