Groth leads SMSU to convincing win

MARSHALL, Minn. – The No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team dominated St. Cloud State on Friday night, as the Mustangs swept the Huskies 25-10, 25-18, 25-15. SMSU improves to 10-1 overall, 3-1 in NSIC play, while SCSU drops to 5-7 overall, 1-3 in NSIC play.

In the match, SMSU hit a season high .406 with a season low 10 errors as the Mustangs were too much for the Huskies as SMSU had its most complete game of the season with an efficient offense and a sound defense. SMSU held St. Cloud State to a .122 hitting percentage and only allowed six kills from leading attacker Ellie Dietzen.

 Mary Groth led all players with 14 kills and a .619 hitting percentage, while Brooke Burmeister was not far behind with 11 kills and a .588 hitting percentage. Diedrich also joined the high percentage attack with a .368 hitting percentage and nine kills.

 Burmeister’s .588 hitting percentage Friday night was a career high, her previous record was .500 on Sept. 11 2010 vs Wayne State in which she blasted 24 kills on 38 attacks with only five errors.

Emilee Gutzmer had 38 assists and two digs, while Rachel Westby and Ellen Degler both led SMSU with seven digs.

SMSU started the season 7-0, tied for the best start in school history and is again tied with the 2010 team with a 10-1 record. If the Mustangs can defeat Minnesota Duluth tomorrow afternoon, the 2012 squad will break the tie and hold the record for best start in school history with an 11-1 mark. Saturday’s match is set for 3 p.m. in the PE Gym as No. 4 SMSU hosts No. 3 UMD.