The Spur

Issue date: 11/2/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Bryce Rausch The Mustangs walk away with two wins over the weekend, against both the University of Minnesota-Crookston and MSU-Moorhead. If the team continues this trend in the upcoming week against Wayne State, they will secure their number two ranking in the NSIC conference.

With just a week remaining before the NSIC Tournament, the Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team is looking to secure their place in the conference standings. The Mustangs control their own destiny as a win against Wayne State (Neb.) this week would give them sole possession of the number two spot in the conference standings. However, a loss could result in a three-way tie for second between SMSU, MSU-Moorhead and Wayne State. The past two weekends have brought four conference match-ups for the Mustangs.

An Oct. 29 win against the University of Minnesota-Crookston was finished in four games by the Mustangs. Sophomore Erin Contons finished with a match-high 28 kills to lead the Mustangs to a 30-26, 23-30, 30-21, 30-27 victory.

Senior setter Marcia Loeslie recorded 65 assists. Her performance moved her into a tie for fourth for the most assists recorded by a Mustang in a single match.

The Mustangs met up with Bemidji State on Oct. 28 and handily silenced the Beavers with their solid defense. SMSU held BSU to a .031 hitting percentage and only allowed 26 kills in the 30-18, 30-21, 30-21 win.

Senior Jen Otto paced the Mustangs with 14 kills and 15 digs. Freshman Sarah Quiram led the defensive attack with a match-high 17 digs.

On paper, the Oct. 22 match against MSU-Moorhead looked to be a good one, and it was exactly that. The Mustangs took games one and two, 30-22 and 30-28, and seemed to have the momentum heading into the third game.

MSU-Moorhead adjusted to the powerful hitting of the Mustangs and was able to claim game three of 24-30. Pair that with some serving problems on the part of SMSU, and the Dragons gained enough momentum to take game four 30-28 and game five 14-16 to win the match.

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