The Mustangs lost the NSIC Tournament to Concordia St. Paul in straight sets in St. Paul Sunday, Nov. 20. The Mustangs and the Golden Bears came to the championship match with the same 18-2 conference record. Set one SMSU came out swinging. The Golden Bears came right back, and were neck and neck with the Mustangs for the first four points of set one. The Mustangs enjoyed a narrow lead until Concordia’s middle blocker Emma Lange scored on two straight kills to make the score 19-18, Concordia.  When the score was 20-18, Head Coach Terry Culhane called timeout, but the Mustangs could not regain their momentum and lost set one, 21-25.

Set two was an epic battle as there were nine ties. Mustang Sarah Parker got the scoring started for the Mustangs. Concordia surged ahead and enjoyed a two point lead until Eisha Oden tied the set at 13. Oden tied the set at 14 as well and the Mustangs built a three point lead before Concordia Head Coach Brady Starkey called timeout at 21-18, Mustangs. Set two was a nail-biter as both coaches used both of their timeouts to regain momentum. Kaylee Burmeister scored on a kill to make it 24 all. Then Oden got a block to tie the score at 25. The Golden Bears would not go away and defeated the Mustangs 27-25.

Set three the Mustangs were bound and determined as they had been in the exact same position back in October down 2-0 to Concordia St. Paul. The Mustangs drew first blood again, and Megan Larson scored back-to-back aces. Oden got a block, and the score was 6-2, Mustangs. Concordia’s Outside Hitter Anna Pioski scored on an ace, Shelby Seurer, Emma Lange and Riley Hansen got kills, and Coach Culhane was forced to take timeout after the Golden Bears went up 14-17. The Mustangs could not regain their momentum and lost set three 25-19.

Concordia’s Emma Lange, Riley Hansen, and Anna Schlaak combined to lead the Golden Bears with 37 kills. Emma Lange received the player of the game award. The Mustangs were led by outside hitter Taylor Reiss and outside hitter Kaylee Burmeister. The pair combined to score 29 kills for the Mustangs. Reiss and Setter Megan Larson were named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team.

Mustang fans will have to wait until Monday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 pm to find out who made the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The announcement will be made on NCAA.com.