The Spur

Issue date: 11/16/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Bryce Rausch The SMSU volleyball team, after losing to Concordia, look ahead to NCAA as NSIC runner-ups. The Mustangs will enter the regional tournament Nov. 17 with a 25-7 record.

The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team wrapped up three days worth of NSIC tournament games this past weekend and qualified for the NCAA regional tournament. The Mustangs were crowned NSIC runner-ups to powerhouse Concordia-St. Paul and will enter into the tournament ranked fourth.

The number two seeded Mustangs opened the NSIC tournament against number six University of Minnesota-Crookston. The Mustangs refused to allow the Golden Eagles any ray of hope and took the match in three games by scores of 30-20, 30-22 and 30-19.

The Mustangs dominated both offense and defense as they hit a solid .345 and allowed UMC to only a .127 hitting percentage. Sophomore Erin Contons led the offensive attack with a match-high 21 kills, while freshman Sarah Quiram had 18 digs in the defensive effort.

The win against UMC set up a match between the Mustangs and Minnesota State University-Moorhead. The Mustangs lost to the Dragons in an exciting match just before the conference tournament but knew passing and serving better would be the key in getting the win.

"We knew that the more aggressive we served, the more we could get them out of system," said Jen Otto, a senior elementary education student.

SMSU was able to get the Dragons out of system, as they won in four games by scores of 30-25, 30-32, 30-19 and 31-29.

Neither team hit well, but the Mustangs still received an impressive 29 kills from Contons and another 13 from junior Megan Wendorff. Senior setter Marcia Loeslie compiled a stellar 70 assists. Both Contons' and Loeslie's performances tied single match records at SMSU.

After defeating the Dragons, the Mustangs moved on to face Concordia-St. Paul in the championship match of the tournament. The Golden Bears were ranked number three in the latest national poll while the Mustangs fell off the top 25 ranked teams late in the season.

The Mustangs could not find their usual hitting groove and finished with a .184 hitting percentage. Pair that with a solid defensive performance, and Concordia was able to sweep the Mustangs 30-25, 30-24 and 30-20.

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