The Minnesota State volleyball team (11-9, 6-6 NSIC) traveled to Marshall, Minn., to take on #14 Southwest Minnesota State (16-4, 8-4 NSIC) in NSIC action Friday evening. The Mustangs defeated the Mavericks in a 3-0 sweep (15-25, 15-25, 16-25).

In set one, the Mavericks looked up to the challenge as they gave the Mustangs a run for their money in the first half of the set. The Mavericks and the Mustangs traded points back and forth to work the score to a 11-11 deadlock. From there, the Mavericks would never lead again in set one. Although, the Mavericks stayed within striking distance, the Mustangs were just too much. With the score at a 15-13 Mustang advantage, the Mustangs would go on a 10-2 run to close out set one 25-15.

With the Mustangs riding the big run to end set one they rapidly climbed to a 7-1 lead over the Mavericks in the opening part of set two. The Mavericks would try to re-establish themselves as they got the score to 8-4 after the Mustangs strong start. This would be as close as the Mavericks would get the rest of the set. The Mavericks struggled to find any consistency on offense as the Mustangs would continue to extend their lead and would lead the Mavericks by as much as 11 at 20-9. The Mavericks were bucked by the Mustangs and fell in set two by a score of 25-15.

The Mavericks faced a steep challenge in set three. They would look to find something to challenge the Mustangs but, the Mustangs would open set three with a blistering 10-3 run. The Mavericks would tried to hang tough and got within five with a score of 12-17 about half way through set three. From this point, the Mustangs put it in to overdrive and ripped off a 5-0 run to extend their lead to 10 with a score of 22-12. The Mavericks would do their best to make some ground up and go on a 3-0 run of their own but, it was a little to late as the Mustangs closed out set three with a 25-16 victory and took the match.

The Mavericks were lead on offense by freshman Kiya Durant who had 6 kills in the contest. Senior Dana Schindler contributed 11 assists to the offensive effort. Senior Mara Quam added to her Minnesota State all-time digs record with 11 this evening. Also, on the defensive side sophomore Ellie Danielson had 3 blocks.

The Mavericks return to the floor tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., to take on the University of Sioux Falls with another bout in the NSIC. The action begins with first serve slated for 4:00 p.m.