Marshall, Minn. –  The Minnesota State volleyball team beat #5 Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday afternoon by the scores of 25-14, 25-23, 20-25 and 25-19.

With the win, the Mavericks record improves to 14-8 overall and 10-5 in the conference. 

The Mavericks found themselves leading 8-2 over the Mustangs early in set one. It would stay the same as MSU went on to take the first set, 25-14 over SMSU. Sophomore middle blocker Krista Hassing and freshman middle blocker Vikolia Meade each recorded four kills in the set. Senior outside hitter Chandra Honebrink also posted three kills and junior setter Ellie Van De Steeg added 13 assists.
 
In set two, SMSU jumped out to a 8-2 lead over MSU, before the Mavericks fought back to tie the set at 10-10. The match was still tied at 14-14 until the Purple and Gold went on a 6-1 run to make the score 20-15. In the end, MSU held on to its lead and won the second set, 25-23. Hassing and Honebrink each tallied five kills in the set, as freshman outside hitter Sydney Powell wasn't too far behind as she pitched in with four kills of her own.

In set three it was back and forth between the two as it was tied up at 17-17 before the Mustangs went on a 8-3 run to win the set, 25-20 over the Mavericks. Again, Hassing led MSU with six kills, as senior outside hitter Jenna McNallan added four kills of her own.

In the fourth and final set, the Mavericks were able to jump out to a 10-5 advantage over the Mustangs. MSU never looked back in the set as they went on to win the set and match, 25-19 over SMSU. Hassing and McNallan accumulated four and three kills, respectively, as Van De Steeg added another 12 assists. 

Pacing the Maverick offense was Hassing as the Blue Earth, Minn. native posted a match-high 19 kills and an impressive .421 attack percentage to go along with her six total blocks. Honebrink and McNallan posted 12 and 11 kills, respectively as Powell was one away from double-digits with nine kills. Van De Steeg led all players with 48 assists, as defensive specialists Haley Doran and Rissi McNallan each finished with 13 digs for the Mavericks.

The next time the Mavericks hit the court will be on the road at #3 Concordia-St. Paul on Tuesday. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.