MARSHALL, Minn. – The Winona State defense limited the seventh-ranked Mustangs to a season-low .131 hitting percentage to grab a four set win 25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 25-18 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Friday night.
SMSU drops its second game of the season and sits at 17-2 overall, 8-2 NSIC. The Warriors move to 13-8 overall, 6-4 NSIC.
Leah Jones led SMSU with 13 kills and an ace on offense, and recorded 12 digs for a double-double.
Karli Arkell followed with 12 kills on .458 hitting and added four block assists on defense.
Sydney Thein helped on offense with 38 set assists while grabbing 10 digs for a double-double.
Two other Mustangs totaled double-digit digs with
McKenzie Tolk recording a team-high 14 and
Mya Krystosek grabbing 13.
The Warriors had a trio of attackers with 10-plus kills to take down SMSU. Quinn Robak logged 13 kills and a block while Sidney Paulson and Jayda Berg notched 12 kills apiece in support. Jaci Winchell and Ashlyn Steding took turns in the setter role, as Winchell posted 27 assists while Steding set 19.
SMSU moved to a 3-1 lead in set one before the Warriors took control and battled to hold a four-point lead at 12-8. The Mustangs would even it up at 13-13 but the WSU offense took off for a 7-1 run to lead by six late. The Warriors controlled the remainder of the set to win 25-18.
Winona State carried the momentum over into set two to hold the Mustangs' offense. The Warriors jumped out to a 13-8 lead and led by as many as eight points until SMSU closed the gap to three late in game two. Jones and VanHeel would each smash a kill but it wouldn't be enough as WSU claimed game two.
SMSU finally broke through in game three with a narrow two-point win. The third set saw a variety of action, showcasing seven tie scores and a pair of lead changes. The Mustangs swung for its highest percentage of the night (.306) in set three en route to the win.
Winona State never looked back, holding the lead for the remainder of the match to close out the fourth set.
SMSU is back in action tomorrow hosting No. 12 Concordia-St. Paul (13-4, 8-1 NSIC) for "Summer Camper Day", with first serve set for 4 p.m.
