PITTSBURG, Kan. – The No. 11-ranked Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team began its trip to Kansas displaying dominance in two match sweeps on Friday, at the Pittsburg State (Kan.) Classic. SMSU first squared off with Arkansas-Fort Smith (4-1), defeating the Lions by scores of 25-23, 25-13, and 25-17. Next up was Northwestern Oklahoma State (2-3), who also fell victim to a Mustang sweep, with SMSU winning by scores of 25-10, 25-22, and 25-18.
SMSU improves to 5-1 overall with the victories.
VERSUS ARKANSAS-FORT SMITH
Set one of the first match would best be described as a gridlock. Both squads had a .17 hitting percentage in the set, with SMSU tallying five errors and UAFS recording eight of its own. As a result of the hitting troubles, the first set highlighted six total lead changes, which led to nine tie-scores. The Mustangs scored six of the last eight points to capture the set win, fueled by two
McKenzie Tolk aces and UAFS attacking errors.
The second set was pure dominance by the Mustangs. SMSU out-hit the Lions .271 to .051, and recorded 17 kills to just six by UAFS, nearly tripling their total. The Mustangs gained momentum early in the set, scoring six straight points to gain the lead after a 5-2 start in favor of UAFS. SMSU scored 12 of the last 14 points in the set, punishing the Lions by a score of 25-13.
The third set was another big one for SMSU, again outhitting the Lions. The Mustangs' largest lead of the set was nine points, with SMSU responding to every score the Lions marked. SMSU tallied 15 kills in the set on 38 attempts. The undefeated Lions dropped to 4-1 as a result, while SMSU improved to 4-1.
Leading the way was freshman
Leah Jones, recording 11 kills, four aces, and eight digs in the match. Other top performers on offense were
Brooklyn Kusler and
Karli Arkell, who each tallied eight kills of their own.
Alisa Bengen was everywhere in the match, setting up the offense with 29 assists and seven kills on a .778 hitting percentage, while also recording 11 digs. Anchoring the defense were
Natalee Rolbiecki and
McKenzie Tolk, notching 17 and 16 digs, respectively.
VERSUS NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
The Mustangs came out hot in match two, not giving the Rangers much of a chance in set one. SMSU jumped out to a commanding 8-3 lead to start the set, before a Ranger timeout. Picking up where they left off, the Mustangs chose not to let up, hammering NWOSU with kills from
Saari Kuehl,
Alisa Bengen, and
Emma VanHeel.
SMSU scored eight straight points from a score of 17-10, obliterating the Rangers in the set 25-10. The Mustangs also scored five aces in the set.
Set two was a duel. The Rangers jumped to a 10-6 lead early in the set, forcing SMSU adjustments. Kills by
Leah Jones and
Karli Arkell paced the Mustangs throughout the set. Both squads went on tidy scoring runs of their own, aggressively battling for the important second set. Once again, SMSU won the set by going on a 7-2 scoring run, backed by Jones kills and NWOSU attacking errors.
SMSU tallied 15 kills in the set, edging NWOSU by three percent in hitting.
The Mustangs dominated again in the third set, starting with an assertive 9-5 run, assisted by three Kusler aces. NWOSU battled back to a score of 12-10 before an eventual 5-2 run by SMSU. A huge pair of kills by
Mya Krystosek and Brookyln Kusler pushed the Mustangs over the edge to win the set 25-18.
Leah Jones again stood out with her performance, hitting 15 kills on an impressive 32 attempts (.375). Kusler and Arkell once again assisted the effort on offense, chipping in eight and seven kills apiece.
Alisa Bengen finished with 32 assists and season-high 14 digs in the win. Tolk held the Mustangs down on defense with 16 digs, with Rolbiecki chipping in nine of her own, and Arkell putting up two blocks in assistance.
SMSU captured all 11 service aces in the match. Additionally, the Mustangs filled the stat sheet, outscoring the Rangers in every facet but blocks.
UP NEXT
The Mustangs close out their trip to Kansas tomorrow with two additional matches, playing Drury (Mo.) at 9 a.m., and tournament host Pittsburg State at 2 p.m.
