MARSHALL, Minn. – The No. 11 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team (8-1, 1-0 NSIC) opened its conference play with a bang, sweeping Minnesota State (5-4, 0-1 NSIC) by scores of 25-17, 25-14, and 25-17. Minnesota State drops to a record of 5-4 as a result, while SMSU improves to 8-1

Leading the Mustang offense was Karli Arkell, with 11 kills on an impressive .421 hitting percentage. Saari Kuehl hit 12 kills on a .345 hitting percentage. Emma VanHeel was the most efficient hitter on the floor for SMSU, hitting a .600 percentage with nine kills on just 15 attempts. Additionally, Leah Jones notched eight kills for herself.

Alisa Bengen accommodated SMSU on offense, scoring 34 assists, three kills, and nine digs.

McKenzie Tolk was the anchor for the Mustang defense, recording 16 digs and five assists. Arkell also did her part on defense, capturing two solo blocks and one block assist. VanHeel was the top blocker for the Mustangs, with one solo block and four block assists.

The offensive leaders for Minnesota State were Emma Loveall and Kiya Durant, tallying five and four kills, respectively. Ellie Kline supported the Mavericks up on offense, recording 16 digs and five assists. Brooke Bolwerk was the primary ballhandler for MSU, capturing 12 assists in her effort.

Kiya Durant stood strong on the MSU front line, helping herself to two solo blocks and four block assists on defense. Sophie Tietz assisted Durant on the front line, capturing four block assists of her own.

The Mustangs out-hit MSU in the match by nearly 18 percent. Kills for MSU totaled to just 25, while SMSU totaled an impressive 48, nearly doubling the Mavericks effort.
SMSU has now beaten MSU in 10 of the last 11 matchups dating back to 2015, and now lead the overall series 32-29

UP NEXT

The Mustangs travel to Sioux Falls on Saturday, Friday 16, to face off with the Cougars in more NSIC action at 2 p.m.