PRESS RELEASE

It proved to be an all-out battle from Wachs Arena on Saturday night, as the (RV) Northern State University Wolves defeated No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State. Three of the five sets went to extras as the Wolves handed the Mustangs their second loss of the 2021 season.

THE QUICK DETAILS

Final Score: NSU 3, SMSU 2

Records: NSU 10-5 (5-2 NSIC), SMSU 13-2 (5-2 NSIC)

Attendance: 1402

HOW IT HAPPENED

·         Southwest opened the match with a 26-24 victory in set one, however the Wolves flipped the scrip taking both the second and third sets with scores of 26-24

·         The Mustangs did not go silently, battling for a 25-19 victory in set four, however the Wolves sealed the deal, 15-11 in the last frame

·         NSU out-hit SMSU .119-to-.098 in the match, recording 55 kills and 54 assists, while holding the Mustangs to their lowest attack percentage of the 2021 season

·         Both teams recorded 79 digs in total, with the Wolves adding 12 blocks and five service aces

·         Lexi Boesl led the Wolves defense, stepping into the libero role, with a career high 35 digs; the senior average 7.00 digs per set in the win

·         Two Wolves recorded double figure kills offensively, while three tallied at least five blocks defensively

·         The win is just the 11^th for the program over SMSU in school history and just the second in the Northern State Aldridge-era

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

·         Lexi Boesl: 35 digs (career high), 7.00 digs per set, 2 assists, 1 ace

·         Peyton Ellingson: 16 kills, .323 attack%, 5 blocks, 4 digs, 1 ace

·         Sally Gaul: 15 kills, 5 blocks (career high), 2 digs

·         Keri Walker: 50 assists, 10 digs, 2 aces, 2 blocks, 2 kills

UP NEXT

Northern State hits the road next weekend for a 4-game stint beginning with Wayne State at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 8.

To see complete match stats click on the following link:

https://nsuwolves.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2021/southwest-minnesota-state-gypsy-days-/boxscore/9233