MINOT, N.D. – The No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team (10-2, 3-1 NSIC) leaps back into the win column after sweeping Minot State University (2-11, 1-4 NSIC) on Friday afternoon, by set scores of 25-15, 25-7, and 25-9. SMSU is now 3-1 in the NSIC and improves to 10-2 overall. MISU drops to 1-4 in the NSIC and 2-11 overall.

Leading the way for the Mustangs offense in her first start was Ashley Peltier. Peltier hit an impressive 58 percent on seven kills with no errors, while Kuehl hitt for 31 percent and Arkell hit 54 percent on 13 attempts with no errors. Supporting the attack was Emma VanHeel and Leah Jones, who also both tallied five kills. 

Floating around the court on defense was McKenzie Tolk. Tolk captured a team-high 11 digs and set three assists with one service ace in the match. Her defensive counterparts were Alisa Bengen and Natalee Rolbiecki, notching seven and eight digs, respectively.

Alisa Bengen paced the SMSU offense with 26 assists, while grabbing herself four kills with no errors on seven attempts for 57 percent hitting. Bengen added a personal-best five service aces in the match. Top blockers for SMSU were Arkell, Jones, and VanHeel

The Mustangs held the Beavers to negative-five percent hitting, and tallied 38 total kills to just 17 posted by MISU. SMSU had eight service aces in the match and out-paced MISU on offense with 31 assists to just 13 by MISU.

UP NEXT

SMSU travels to Bismarck, N.D. tomorrow to round out their trip to North Dakota against UMary at 2 p.m.

The Mustangs face a busy week at home starting with Augustana on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m.

SMSU welcomes St. Cloud State on Friday, Oct. 6, for the first game of SMSU Alumni Weekend at 6 p.m.

Minnesota Duluth comes to town on Saturday, Oct. 7, to round out the Mustangs' week at 2 p.m.