MARSHALL, Minn.—The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team was swept by No. 9-ranked Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday in Marshall, Minn.. The Dragons lost 25-22. 25-23, and 25-15.

MSUM now sits at 5-7 overall and 0-4 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU improved to 10-2 and 4-0 in the NSIC.

Sophomore hitter Amanda Carlson led the Dragons with eight kills. Freshman setter Amber Bretwisch recorded 15 set assists, while sophomore setter Katelyn Selensky added 12. On the defensive side, sophomore hitter Layla Sanati-Zaker posted five blocks. Freshman hitter/defensive specialist Brooke Walthall led the Dragons in digs with a career-high 14.

In the first set, the Dragons found themselves down 17-12 before mounting a rally. MSUM scored six of the next seven points to tie it up at 18-18. MSUM kept it within three the rest of the set but fell 25-22.

A block by Sanati-Zaker and freshman Teeya Doppler gave the Dragons a 16-13 lead in the second set. SMSU responded with seven straight points to put MSUM down 20-16. SMSU maintained control of the lead for the rest of the set, and the Dragons fell 25-23 in a closely contested second set.

In the third set, MSUM quickly went up 6-2. SMSU scored the next six points, and kept control for the rest of the set. An SMSU service error kept the Dragons close at 9-8, but MSUM couldn't get any closer as the Mustangs won the final set 25-15.

MSUM returns home next week to take on Bemidji State Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. and Minnesota Crookston on Oct. 5 at 4 p.m.