SMSU stunned Wayne State 3-0 in the second round of the NSIC Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul. The Mustangs came out swinging against defensive-minded Wildcat team. Middle Blocker Sarah Parker started the scoring with a kill to make it 1-0. Wayne State tied the game at 1-1 and then went up 2-1. The Mustangs battled back to take the lead 3-2. The Mustangs never looked back after Libero Amber Messner scored on two consecutive service aces to make the score 5-2. The Wildcats came within 8 points, but a series of kills by Middle Blocker Eisha Oden sealed the deal as the Mustangs won the first set 25-12.

Set two brought the Wildcats to life as they came out swinging scoring the first point of the set. The Mustangs came roaring back and went up 7-3 off a series of kills by Taylor Reiss, Megan Larson, Kaylee Burmeister and Oden. The Wildcats made a run of their own and tied the set at nine all. The Mustangs were neck and neck with the Wildcats the rest of the set. There were 10 ties in set two until Reiss made three consecutive kills to go up 21-18. That forced a timeout by Wildcat head coach Scott Kneifl. Alyssa Frauendorfer made a crucial block for Wayne State to tie the score at 22. The score was tied again at 23 and 24. Finally Burmeister put the set in the record books with a kill to make the score 26-24 Mustangs.

Set three started fast for Wayne State as well, but the Mustangs quickly answered scoring four consecutive points to make the score 6-2 Mustangs. A balanced scoring attack by Reiss, Parker, Oden, Burmeister, and Larson put the Mustangs in the driver’s seat as they cruised to a 25-21 victory in set three.

The Mustangs clearly outplayed the Wildcats with an attack percentage of 37 percent. The Mustangs also had more blocks, digs, and assists. The Mustangs were led by Reiss, Oden, and Burmeister with 15, 14, and 14 kills apiece.

The Mustangs will play Concordia St. Paul Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. in Gangelhoff Center for a chance to play in the NCAA Division II Tournament December 1-3.