Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team fell to No. 3 Southwest Minnesota State, 3-0 (13-25, 23-25, 11-25), Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center. 

The Mustangs sprinted out to a quick 9-3 edge and forced Minnesota State into a time out. The Mavericks battled back to draw within five, 11-6, after a Krista Hassing kill. SMSU then went on to close out the set, 25-13. 

Minnesota State fought back in a the second set which featured match-high eight ties and three lead changes. The Mavericks were able to snatch a three point, 12-9, advantage after a 3-0 run highlighted by a Sarah Kuehn kill. Later in the frame, the teams found themselves deadlocked at 22 before the Mustangs went on a 3-1 run to steal the set, 25-23. 

In the third and final set, SMSU took control early with a 9-4 lead to force a Maverick time out. Later in the frame, Minnesota State battled back to cut the deficit down to 15-8 after back-to-back kills by Morgan Olson. Minnesota State was not able to draw any closer and dropped the set, 25-11. 

Southwest Minnesota State held the edge in kills (48-32) and assists (42-31) while both teams posted 43 digs each. 

Minnesota State continues to lead the all-time series, 28-25. 

Sophomore Maddie Keute led the Mavericks with a match-high 20 digs. Sophomore Autumn Risch contributed a team-best 28 assists while junior Jackie Jones totaled a team-high eight kills to round out the Minnesota State top performers. 

With the loss, Minnesota State moves to 9-10 (3-8 NSIC) on the season. The Mavericks will return to the floor when they travel to Concordia-St. Paul on Oct. 18 with first serve set for 7:00 p.m.