PITTSBURG, Kan. – The No. 9 ranked Southwest Minnesota State volleyball squad defeated the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm tonight in their first match of the Pittsburg State Classic in a 3-0 sweep, 25-12, 25-19, and 25-17.

Mya Krystosek and Leah Jones led the Mustangs with 15 kills each, Krystosek hitting .500 and Jones hitting .343. Natalie Pilney added 11 kills, her season high, hitting .471.

Sydney Thein had 41 assists and nine digs. McKenzie Tolk and Kennedy Drake led the team in digs, each getting 11.

As a team, the Mustangs hit .362 (52-14-105), while the Crimson Storm, who were led by Kate Wright with 11 kills, hit .100 (24-15-90).

In the first set, the Mustangs got off to a hot start, and after a 9-0 run, SMSU led 15-4, and eventually 21-8. The Crimson Storm attempted to force a huge comeback, to no avail, with the Mustangs winning 25-12.

The second set started more competitive than the first, with SMSU holding a 9-7 lead, before a 5-0 run followed by a 6-1 run had the Mustangs at a 20-10 lead. The Crimson Storm battled back, going on their own 6-1 run before SMSU took back control, winning the set 25-19.

In the final set, Southern Nazarene got off to a 7-5 start, until SMSU went on a 12-1 run, led by four kills from Leah Jones. The Mustangs controlled the rest of the set, eventually winning 25-17.

SMSU plays a pair of matches tomorrow, first at 10 a.m. against Maryville (Mo.), and at 7 p.m. against tournament hosts Pittsburg State (Kan.). More information can be found at smsumustangs.com