Through the first two sets of tonight's Northern Sun Conference volleyball match in Fayette, the Peacocks registered more kills than their nationally-ranked opponents, but a few extra errors in each frame proved to be the difference. The #5 Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University edged their hosts in two straight sets by a pair of points, 27-25 and 25-23. After the intermission, SMSU controlled the third set, 25-15, to put the match away and improve to 11-3 overall and 4-2 in the NSIC. The Peacocks dropped to 7-8 overall and 1-5 in the conference after their fifth of six NSIC matches against a nationally-ranked opponent.
In the first set, SMSU came out strong posting an early 7-2 lead, but the Peacocks stormed back tying the set at 11-11 thanks to a 9-4 run highlighted by four kills from
Jennifer Mundt. The teams battled back and forth and were still tied at 19-19 when Upper Iowa tried to leave their guests behind taking a 23-20 lead following another two kills from the right hand of Mundt, but the Mustangs scored seven of the final nine points in the set to rally and take a 1-0 lead.
Southwest Minnesota State once again took an early 9-4 lead, but Upper Iowa dug down and found a way to battle back and tie the match at 11-11. The set progressed with neither team able to get away. UIU took a slim 21-20 lead after
Chelsea Berry recorded a kill from
Malissa LeClaire. The Mustangs were once again up to the challenge scoring five of the game's seven points to secure the 25-23 win for SMSU. Early on in the third set, the Mustangs took a lead and continued to build on it.
Mundt led the Peacock offense and defense with 16 kills and 17 digs, while LeClaire paced the attack with 23 assists.
Taylor Williams joined Mundt in double figure digs with 10 in the match. After Mundt's 16 kills, the senior from Lewiston-Alura High School sits at 1,301 kills in her four-year career, which is just five short of the record at Upper Iowa held by Shea Meyermann (2006-09).
Taylor Reiss led the Mustangs with 17 kills, while Megan Larson had 35 assists. Reiss led the the charge at the net earning 9 blocks.
Upper Iowa will be back on Prochaska Court in the afternoon on Saturday to take on the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls as the home team looks to break their three-match skid.
