Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.: The Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball program ranked second in NCAA Division II attendance during the 2007 season in a report released by the NCAA this month.

Southwest Minnesota State drew 9,220 spectators to 13 home dates last season, an average of 709 that ranked second among all NCAA II schools behind only the University of Nebraska-Kearney.  UNK averaged 1,196 per game in 22 home matches.

Three crowds over a thousand filled the SMSU Physical Education Gym during the season, including a school record 1,748 on Sept. 25 versus Minnesota Duluth. 

SMSU finished 10-3 at home in 2007 and is 39-10 at home in four seasons under head coach Terry Culhane.  The Mustangs finished the 2007 season 26-8 overall, 15-3 NSIC, and was ranked No. 12 in the final national poll.  SMSU was ranked as high as No. 4 in the national poll during the season.

SMSU begins preparation for the 2008 season on Aug. 11 and will open the regular season on Aug. 29-30 at the Nova Southeastern (Fla.) University Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.