PENSACOLA, Fla. — The No. 11 Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team started its season with a bang on Friday afternoon, sweeping Spring Hill College (Ala.) by set scores of 25-16, 27-25, and 25-17.

Senior Saari Kuehl led SMMSU in kills on the day with 18 while Ashley Peltier and Emma VanHeel added another eight and seven respectively.

Sydney Thein, stepping into the setter role following the graduation of two-time All-NSIC setter Alissa Bengen, recorded 38 set assists, 12 digs and a service ace in her Mustang debut. The Clara City native red-shirted her freshman season before stepping into a starting role this season.

Libero McKenzie Tolk led the back row with 18 digs while Mya Krystosek added another 11. Karli Arkell added some front-row defense with four total blocks while VanHeel added another three and Kuehl, Peltier and Leah Jones each finished with one.

SMSU 3, West Fla. 0

PENSACOLA, Fla. — After defeating Spring Hill College in their season-opener, the No. 11 Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team continued its strong start to the season with a straight-sets victory over No. 20 West Florida, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19.

Sydney Thein got plenty of hitters involved, recording 30 set assists on the day while McKenzie Tolk added another eight. On the finishing end, Ashley Peltier led the team with 13 kills while Saari Kuehl and Leah Jones added another 13 and eight respectively.

Jones also made an impact on the defensive end. Her 13 digs put her behind only Thein’s 14.

Emma VanHeel recorded four total blocks at the net while Tolk and Karli Arkell each added another.

SMSU, now 2-0 on the season, will remain in Pensacola for a pair of matchups against Oklahoma Baptist and Wheeling (W.Va.) today at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. From there, they’ll head to Springfield, Mo. For another four matchups starting next Thursday.