Marshall, Minn. – The Minnesota State volleyball team fell to #3 Southwest Minnesota State in three sets (25-14, 25-16, 25-21) on Saturday afternoon.

The Mavericks struggled to find its groove all match as they committed 10 service errors and just one service ace in the contest. MSU also posted a .213 attack percentage, while SMSU tallied a .274 attack percentage in the match.

In the first frame of action, the Mustangs led throughout the whole set as they built an early 7-3 advantage over the Mavericks. SMSU kept building on its lead as it at one point held a 10-point advantage over the MSU, 18-8. The Mustangs took the first set 25-14 over the Mavericks, as SMSU collected an impressive .556 attack percentage.

In set two the Mustangs once again built an early 7-3 lead over the Mavericks. MSU clipped into SMSU's lead down to two, 11-9, but the Mustangs quickly answered with a 4-0 run to push the Mustangs lead to six, 15-9. Throughout the rest of the set SMSU held steady to its lead and ended up taking the second frame, 25-16. The Mavericks accumulated a .048 attack percentage in the set, while the Mustangs collected a .238 attack percentage.

In the third and final set MSU built an early 7-3 lead over SMSU, but the lead quickly diminished as the Mustangs tied the set up at 9-9. Both teams wound up trading point for point as the set was still tied at 16-16. The Mustangs scored the next three points in the set to put them up 19-16 late in the set. MSU was unable to trim back into SMSU's lead, as the Mustangs took the third set 25-21, which gave SMSU the sweep victory.

Junior Krista Hassing [Blue Earth, Minn.] continued her impressive play, as she posted match-highs of 13 kills and a .417 attack percentage. Junior Lexi Platz [Lafayette, Minn.] added seven kills and a .357 attack percentage to her stat line, while freshman Nevena Vukomanovich [Maplewood, Minn.] finished the match with five kills and a team-high six digs.

Senior Ellie Van De Steeg [Hutchinson, Minn.] recorded 27 assists, while junior Haley Fogarty [Belle Plaine, Minn.] added five digs in the loss.

With the loss, MSU drops to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in NSIC play.

The Purple and Gold will return to action on Friday at Taylor Center, as #5 Wayne State comes into town. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.