WAYNE, Neb. – The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team (7-3, 2-0 NSIC) earned a five-set victory (25-23, 18-25, 25-13, 22-25, 11-15) over Wayne State (8-2, 1-1 NSIC) on Saturday afternoon at Rice Auditorium.

Taylor Reiss led the Mustangs with a match-high 28 kills and added 15 digs, as well as a new career-high 94 digs. Several other Mustangs recorded career highs in the match. Sarina Smith earned a career-high 16 kills, Emma Thomssen, a career-high 61 assists and 17 digs, and Kaylee Burmeister, a career-high 28 digs.

WSC had four players recorded double-digit kills in the match. Katie Stephens (16), Tarrin Beller (12), Jaci Brahmer (11), and Alyssa Ballenger (11), recorded for 50 of the Wildcats’ 58 kills.

There were ten tied scores and six lead changes in set one as Wayne State took the first set. The Wildcats took advantage of a service error by the Mustangs and went on a 6-1 run to take a 17-12 lead. The Mustangs rallied to take a 21-20 lead late in the first set, sparked by two consecutive kills from Meg Schmidt followed by three consecutive kills from Angela Young. However, the Wildcats were able to regain the lead to take the first set.

The Mustangs took advantage of 11 errors from the Wildcats and connecting several consecutive kills from Meg Schmidt to take the second match 25-18.

The Wildcats went on a 6-0 run in the third set to take a 21-11 lead and didn’t allow the Mustangs back in the game as they took the third set 25-13.

After going down in the third set, the Mustangs took the fourth and fifth set to claim the victory. The Mustangs never gave up the lead in the fourth set and were able to pull ahead in the fifth set due to a strong offense from Reiss, Schmidt, and a crucial kill from Lexi Ferrell to go up 14-11.

The Mustangs continue conference play on Tuesday at home hosting Sioux Falls at 6 p.m. in the PE Gym.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications