MARSHALL, Minn. – The No. 9 ranked Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team (10-0 overall, 2-0 NSIC) closed their weekend with their 10th win in a row, defeating Upper Iowa (6-3, 0-2) 25-21, 25-16, 25-20 on Saturday afternoon inside the PE Gym. 
 
It is the second consecutive year SMSU has opened the season 10-0. 
 
The Mustangs dominated offensively, outhitting the Peacocks .314-.124, recording 46 kills to the 33 of UIU. 
 
Karli Arkell led the offense with 11 kills, with Alisa Bengen picking up a game-high 34 assists. The defense was led by Emma VanHeel, who led the front line with four blocks, and Natalee Rolbiecki, who supported the back line with 15 digs. McKenzie Tolk also stepped up defensively, recording 12 digs. 
 
UIU jumped to a 7-4 lead in set one, eventually leading 16-13 before five straight Mustang points to jolt SMSU to an 18-16 lead. The match would get to 21-21, but four straight points, capped off by a VanHeel block, gave the Mustangs a 25-21 victory. 
 
UIU jumped to a 4-2 lead early in set two before a four-point SMSU flurry gave them a 6-4 lead. The Mustangs led the rest of the way, leading by as many as nine at 24-15, to give them a two-set advantage. 
 
After four Peacock points to give them a 7-5 lead in set three, the Mustangs trotted to the tune of five straight points to take a 10-7 advantage. The Mustangs would lead until 18-18, and would get to 20-20, but closed out the match with five consecutive points, with four kills from four different players, to give them the victory. 
 
UIU was led by Maggie Streightiff, who led the team with 11 kills, and Kaci Beesecker, who each finished with 16 digs.
 
SMSU hits the road next weekend, traveling to play Minnesota State in Mankato on Friday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m.