Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Mary Groth keyed a three-way offensive attack by recording a match-high 16 kills to lead the No. 8-ranked Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-10, 25-13, 18-25, 25-19) win over Chadron State (Neb.) Friday night at the Augustana/SpringHill Suites Invitational in Sioux Falls.

SMSU improves to 2-0 on the season; CSC drops to 0-2.

Groth's 16-kill outing was complimented by the supporting cast of Crissi Schewe and Devin Diedrich, who each terminated 14 ball apiece. Groth's performance, however, stole the show as the freshman hit a stellar .500 on the evening.

Sara Graf had another strong match from her setter position as she checked in with 40 assists.

Defensively, libero Kenzie Niesche led SMSU with 17 digs. Tomomi Sakurai and Schewe each had 15. The 15 digs paired with her 14 kills gave Schewe her first career double-double.

SMSU gained steam in the opening set behind the serving of Kenzie Niesche, who served six straight points before launching one deep. However, the Mustangs already had a 7-0 run under their belts. CSC scored just two points before the Mustangs went back to work, extending their lead to as many as 15 to close the set 25-10.

SMSU, anchored by a hard-hitting performance from Groth, was extremely efficient, hitting .600 in that opening set.

SMSU carried that momentum in the second set, taking a 15-7--fueled by a pair kills from Schewe and a Sakurai service ace. The lead only got larger for the Mustangs, who held as much as a 13-point advantage in the closing moments of the set. Graf finished the set with a decisive stuff of CSC's Mollie Jones' hard hit attack.

Diedrich, Groth and Shewe combined for 23 kills through the first two sets.

Ties emerged early and midway through the third set, but the Eagles held off most of SMSU's attempts to chip into their lead. CSC finally took a seven-point lead to finish the set.

The fourth and final set looked to be leaning in SMSU's favor after the Mustangs took a five-point lead early, but CSC rallied to a 15-15 tie. It took SMSU a few blocks and monster kills from Groth to regain the lead and take the set 25-19. Groth, fittingly, slammed the final kill of the set to seal the win for the Mustangs.

Scrappy play at the net by the Mustangs was responsible for a .071 hitting performance from the Eagles.

The Mustangs rebounded from their sub-par serving performance earlier in the day against Missouri Western State and aced eight serves in the win.

SMSU will play another two matches tomorrow, taking on Regis (Colo.) at 11 a.m. and Northern State at 3 p.m.