SIOUX FALLS- The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team had a tough Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) foe in No. 15 Southwest Minnesota State come to the Stewart Center. A battle ensued on Ron Eiesland Court, but it was SMSU coming out victorious in straight sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-11) on Thursday night.

The Cougars, who were outhit by SMSU .305-to-.031, was led by senior KaSandra Springer who recorded nine kills and 12 digs, both stats being team-highs. Junior Krista Goerger, who broke the program's Division II record for career assists last Saturday, recorded 16 assists. Goerger and redshirt sophomore Kenzie Byers both recorded three blocks each.

The Cougars will look to return to the win column when they travel to Wayne, Neb., to take on No. 12 Wayne State on Saturday.

In the first set, the Cougars were able to take a 10-9 lead over the Mustangs on a trio of SMSU miscues and a Springer kill, but that was quickly negated when SMSU went on a set-defining 10-4 run to go ahead 19-14. The Cougars were able to battle back to a three-point, 21-18 deficit, but the Mustangs took four of the final five rallies to win the set 25-19.

The Mustangs were able to rattle off a strong beginning in the second set, jumping ahead of the Cougars 16-8 midway through the set. Just as the Mustangs looked to have an easy victory in the set, the Cougars were able to jump all over SMSU with a 7-1 run to make it a 17-15 Mustang lead. Just as the Cougars got momentum on their side, the Mustangs took it all away by finishing the set on an 8-2 run and take a 2-0 match lead.

Out of intermission, SMSU rode their momentous run to finish the second set to a quick 8-1 lead in the third set. After the initial run by SMSU, the Cougars and Mustangs nearly went point-for-point to a 17-9 SMSU lead, but the Mustangs went on one last push to finish on another 8-2, set-ending run.