MARSHALL, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead encountered their second road test of the weekend, matching up with sixth-ranked Southwest Minnesota State. The Mustangs would down the Dragons in straight sets on Saturday afternoon. 

The first set did not go according to plan for MSUM as the Mustangs would jump all over the Dragons in the frame. MSUM would manage five points through the set as the Dragons would have 27 total attacks and hitting for a .000 mark. On the other end, Southwest Minnesota State would take full advantage of their chances, hitting for an insane .708 clip en route to a 25-5 set win. 

MSUM would liven up a bit in the second set, improving their hitting mark to .143 on 35 attack attempts. The Mustangs would cool off a bit as well in the frame, hitting for a still respectable .256 on 43 total attacks. The Dragons would hold an 11-9 advantage with three kills from Bridget Witzmann before Southwest Minnesota State rallied back to take a 19-16 lead. MSUM would be unable to find the answers as the Mustangs earned a 25-19 second set win. 

In the decisive third set, SMSU would gain an 11-9 lead before the Dragons tied the match at 11 points thanks to a kill from Witzmann and service ace from Kiara Olesch. Another slam from Witzmann would give the Dragons the lead, 13-12. From there, Southwest Minnesota State would go on an 8-1 run to push in front 21-14. The sixth-ranked Mustangs would polish off the set and match with a 25-15 win. 

Top Dragons

• Bridget Witzmann: 11 kills, five digs, two block assists
• Jadyn Feist: Four kills, three digs
• Abby Thompson: Three kills, four block assists

Up Next

MSUM (7-16, 3-11 NSIC) will hit the road again next weekend to take on Winona State and Concordia, St. Paul. The weekend begins with the Warriors on Friday at 6 p.m.