DULUTH — After dropping the first two sets on Thursday night, the No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team locked in to win three in a row and secure a five-set victory over Minnesota Duluth.

The Mustangs have won both of their matchups against the Bulldogs this season after winning 3-1 in Marshall on Oct. 7.

SMSU held a 13-6 lead in the first set before Duluth rattled off six unanswered points to make it a 13-12 game. SMSU was never able to regain its footing as the Bulldogs went on to win 25-22.

The second set was tight early before, with the Bulldogs holding a 12-10 advantage, Duluth again went on a 7-0 run to take command of the set and held on for a 25-15 win. 

Duluth appeared poised for the sweep with a 19-18 lead in the third set. Yet, SMSU scored six of the next seven points to shift momentum. They went on to win the set 25-21. 

Once again, Duluth had an opportunity to send home fans home happy with a 23-20 lead in the fourth set. Yet, Brooklyn Kusler got consecutive kills and then Emma VanHeel and Leah Johnes each got another to give the Mustangs a 24-23 lead. The Bulldogs found themselves tied again after an SMSU attacking error but consecutive kills from VanHeel ended the set with a 26-24 Mustang win. 

Neither team led by more than 2 points at any point in the fifth set. The teams found themselves tied 13 times but, after five lead changes, a Bulldog service error and an Alisa Bengen kill gave SMSU the win.

Bengen finished the match with 45 set assists for the Mustangs and her 19 digs trailed only McKenzie Tolk’s 24. Natalee Rolbiecki also contributed 18 digs.

On the offensive end. Saari Kuehl led the way with 13 kills while Emma VanHeel and Leah Jones each had another 12. Kusler and Karli Arkell contributed 11 and eight respectively.

VanHeel had another outstanding blocking match with four total blocks while Arkell tallied another three.

Southwest Minnesota State (22-4) will wrap up its regular season with a pair of home matches next week. They will host Winona State for senior night on Friday at 7 p.m. and No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul for Parent’s Day on Saturday at 3 p.m.