SIOUX FALLS— Facing their fifth top-25 ranked opponent this season, the University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Team (6-5, 1-2 NSIC) dropped a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) decision at No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State (8-3, 3-0 NSIC) on Tuesday night. The Cougars have only lost to opponents ranked in the top-25 so far this season.

USF was limited to a .074 hitting percentage while SMSU finished the match with a .287 clip. The Cougars held a, 10-7 lead in the second set, but then saw the SMSU Mustangs score seven straight points to go up, 14-10, and eventually take the set. USF totaled 30 kills throughout the match and added four aces to their offensive game, but the Mustangs had 42 total kills and 12 total blocks to give them the edge over the Cougars.

Sophomore Averey Yaksich led the USF offense with nine kills and sophomore Krista Goerger added 18 assists to her season. Junior Kasandra Springer recorded double digit digs for the Cougars as she held recorded 12 on the match.

The Cougars will look to bounce back at home as they host Upper Iowa on Friday, Sept. 14 at the Steward Center for a 6 p.m. start time.