Marshall, Minn. – No. 16 Southwest Minnesota State proved their ranking on Friday night, defeating Minnesota Crookston in straight sets (12-25, 14-25, 12-25).
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 7-16 (4-11 NSIC).
 
Set One
SMSU would jump on the Golden Eagles early, taking a quick 6-1 lead.
 
Madison Carsten (So., OH, Wadena, Minn.) would stop the bleeding with one of her five kills in the match.
 
The Mustangs would score four in a row and take a 13-4 lead, but Carsten would collect a kill and a service ace and Baily Teveldal (Fr., S, Baltic, S.D.) would add a kill, cutting the Mustang lead to 13-7.
 
That is as close as the Golden Eagles would get, as the Mustangs would pull away for the set one victory.
 
Set Two
Once again, SMSU would pounce on the Golden Eagles early for another 6-1 lead, but this time Maya Jones (So., OH, New Braunfels, Texas) would stop the early run with one of her seven kills.
 
Later on in the set, the Mustangs would lead 15-7, but Carizma Muth (R-Fr., OH, Randolph, Wis.) would start a 3-0 run with a kill, making it 15-10, in favor of the home team.
 
The Golden Eagles would go on another 3-0 run, countering a 3-0 run of the Mustangs, getting the Golden Eagles back within five at 18-13.
 
SMSU would end the set on a 7-1 run, going up in the match, 2-0.
 
Set Three
The Mustangs would once again start blazing fast, this time getting out to a 7-1 lead, but kills from Carsten and Jones would cut the lead to four.
 
Minnesota Crookston would try and chase down the Mustangs, but the Golden Eagles would fall in the set, 25-12, losing the match in three sets.
 
Individual Stats
Muth led the way with nine kills on 25 total attacks, while Jones finished with seven kills on 28 total attacks, her third straight match hitting above .200 and fourth in five matches.
 
Teveldal finished with 21 assists, while Kailee Waasdorp (So., DS, West Fargo, N.D.) added 11 digs. Waasdorp has double-digit digs in all but one match this season.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will wrap-up their road portion of the schedule tomorrow afternoon at Winona State. First serve is set for 2 P.M.