MARSHALL, Minn. – The Minnesota State Moorhead volleyball team faced a tough test Saturday afternoon against 11th-ranked Southwest Minnesota State, falling to the Mustangs in straight sets (25-16, 25-18, 25-20) at the PE Gym.
The Dragons showed flashes of strong offensive play throughout the match but were unable to overcome the Mustangs' efficient attack. Southwest Minnesota State (17-3, 11-2 NSIC) hit .375 as a team, recording 53 kills to earn the three-set victory.
MSUM opened the match with an impressive offensive showing, hitting .344 with 12 kills in the first set. However, the Mustangs countered with 21 kills while hitting .400 to claim the opening frame, 25-16.
The Dragons continued to compete in the second set but struggled to find consistency against the SMSU defense. The Mustangs pulled away for a 25-18 win, despite MSUM recording 10 kills in the frame.
MSUM kept battling in the third set, collecting 12 kills and six service aces overall in the match. The Dragons pushed to extend the contest, but Southwest Minnesota State maintained its offensive rhythm to close out the sweep with a 25-20 set victory.
Maci Martini led the Dragons offensively with nine kills, while Brielle Riess added eight kills. Raiah Mandell contributed five kills, and Leah Laqua provided an efficient presence at the net with three kills on five attempts.
Brooke Gillingham paced the MSUM offense with 17 assists and delivered a team-high three service aces. Madi Colby added 12 assists, while Mya Pfeifer led the Dragons with three total blocks. Martini also contributed seven digs to lead MSUM defensively.
Southwest Minnesota State was led by Leah Jones, who recorded 11 kills while hitting .478. Ashley Peltier and Mya Krystosek added nine kills apiece, while Ashlynn Schroeder anchored the defense with 20 digs.
Up Next
MSUM ((11-11, 4-9 NSIC)) returns home for a pair of NSIC matches next weekend, beginning with nationally-ranked Wayne State on Friday at 6 p.m.
