Photo by Brent Cizek: Southwest Minnesota State's Mya Krystosek (1) and Natalie Pilney put up a block during the No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team's Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference match against Bemidji State on Friday in Bemidji

BEMIDJI – The No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team defeated the Bemidji State Beavers on Friday night, winning in three sets, 25-18, 25-19, 25-18.

Leah Jones led the Mustangs in kills on the night with 14, hitting .342 and adding eight digs.

Ashley Peltier added 13 kills, hit .444, and had four total blocks.

McKenzie Tolk led the team in digs with 12, and was one of three Mustangs with 10 or more digs, along with Mya Krystosek and

Sydney Thein.

Thein added 34 assists to her stellar start to the season.

Emily Rohrer added five kills and four blocks.

The Mustangs as a team hit .288 (43-9-118), while Bemidji State, led in kills by Nevaeh Carlson with 13, hit .171 (37-18-111). SMSU benefited from nine service aces, the most in a match for the Mustangs so far this season, and the most since November 9, 2024, when they played, perhaps coincidentally, Bemidji State.

The Beavers got off to an early lead in set one 6-4, before a 13-3 Mustangs run gave SMSU control, led by four kills from Leah Jones.

The Mustangs hit .257 in the set, while the Beavers struggled, hitting .158 and had eight attack errors compared to SMSU’s three.

The second set started more competitive than the first, with the set tied at 8-8 early. A 5-0 Mustang run, helped by two straight Leah Jones aces gave SMSU control. The Mustangs never trailed after that, and won the set 25-19. SMSU had five service aces in the set, and hit .297.

The final set started again very competitive, with neither team gaining much of an advantage. The score eventually went to 14-14, until a 5-0 Mustangs run led by three kills from Ashley Peltier gave SMSU a lead they would not let slip. The Mustangs won the third set 25-18 and hit .286.

The Mustangs will face No. 24 ranked Minnesota Duluth tomorrow in Duluth at 2 p.m. More information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/womens-volleyball.