Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Playing a Top 25 team for the fourth straight match and the No. 2 team in the nation for the second straight match and third time this season, the Northern State Wolves found the going an uphill climb Friday evening against the second-ranked Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, who took a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-23, 25-14) win over the Wolves.

The loss, just the second at home this season for NSU, drops the Wolves to 6-8 overall and 1-5 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action.  SMSU, which has been ranked in the Top 5 most of the season, moved to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in the loop.

The Mustangs opened the night with a convincing 25-16 win in the opening set, holding the Wolves to just six kills and a -0.43 attack percentage in the set.  NSU came back swinging in the second set, racing out to a 12-5 lead and forcing the Mustangs to burn both of their timeouts.  Following the second and final timeout, the Mustangs rattled off five straight points to close within two at 12-10.

NSU held on to the slim advantage until three straight SMSU points took the Mustangs from 21-20 down to up 22-21.  The two teams traded points to battle to a 23-23 tie, but a Mustang kill followed by one of nine service aces on the night for SMSU gave the Mustangs the 2-0 overall edge heading into the break.

Set three saw the Mustangs out to the early 10-3 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.  SMSU scored the final six points of the set, including two on service aces, to take the set and match to begin the weekend.

NSU senior Kaleinani Kabalis led the Wolves with 9 kills, followed by Jussy Tuscherer with six kills and five blocks off the bench.  Freshman Whitney Kemink also came off the bench to join in on six of NSU's eight total blocks on the night.

SMSU got an even 12 kills from senior Mary Groth.  Senior Devin Diedrich added 11, while freshman Abbey Thissen put down 10.

NSU returns to the court tomorrow afternoon to host NSIC newcomer, the University of Sioux Falls to close out the weekend.  First serve is set for 4 p.m. in Wachs Arena.