BEMIDJI – The No. 8-ranked SMSU Mustangs (9-0 overall, 1-0 NSIC) traveled for their first conference match of the season, defeating Bemidji State (0-9, 0-1) 25-12, 25-16, 24-26, 25-18 on Friday night.

Meg Schmidt was a force for the Mustangs, collecting 15 kills while hitting .480% in the process. Angela Young picked up a double-double for the second consecutive game, with 13 kills and 12 digs to show, and Payton Hjerleid led the defense with 16 digs.

The first set was all Mustangs from start to finish. Schmidt heated up early, collecting three kills in consecutive points to take the lead to 9-3. A 10-3 run put the set away, but SMSU held the lead from the time they led 2-1 on.

The second set was more of the same, with the Mustangs racing to a 9-3 lead after falling behind 2-0 early. SMSU recorded 18 kills to the Beavers eight.

Set three was a different tune, with Bemidji State taking a 7-3 lead that would hold until the Mustangs strung four points together to take a 20-17 lead. The Beavers battled back, taking a 24-23 lead late, before scoring the final two points to take a 26-24 win in set three.

SMSU put an end to the BSU momentum, taking a 2-1 lead that would never be relinquished. An 8-2 lead turned into a 20-11 lead, and while the Beavers scored back-to-back points to cut it to 20-13, SMSU continued the offensive showcase, as Emma VanHeel recorded kills in three of the final four Mustang points to ice the game.

Five freshmen found their name in the box score, with Katelyn Nichols leading the way. Nichols picked up eight kills, eight blocks, and four digs. VanHeel’s eight kills tied for third on the team, with Saari Kuehl recording six kills, Halle Jensen getting three kills, and 11 digs by Sophie Johnson rounding out the night for the freshmen.

SMSU will be back in action today at 2 p.m., traveling to face Minnesota Crookston.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications