On Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustang volleyball team defeated the Bemidji State University Beavers in three sets, with scores of 25-12, 25-11, and 25-16.
The Beavers were no match for the Mustangs, who cruised to an easy victory in the first set. BSU was able to match the Mustangs point-for-point at the start of the match. Tied at 4-4, the Mustangs began to pull away. Attack errors plagued the Beavers, allowing the Mustangs to gain an easy 12-4 advantage after an eight point streak. SMSU wouldn’t look back for the remainder of the set, allowing the Beavers only 8 more points. The Mustangs would go on to win the set 25-12.

During the first set, senior middle blocker Devin Diedrich knocked down her 1,500th career kill. This milestone moves Diedrich a step closer to overtaking Paige Karno for second place on SMSU’s all-time kill list.

The second set was nearly a mirror image of the first, with the Mustangs pulling ahead early on and not letting the Beavers get any closer. The Mustangs jumped to an early 13-5 lead over the Beavers, allowing only 6 more points in the rest of the set. SMSU would go on to win the set 25-11.

After allowing the Beavers to take the first point in set three, the Mustangs quickly rebounded with a 5 point run. BSU and SMSU would continue swapping points back and forth throughout the remainder of the third set, although the Mustangs kept the Beavers at an arm’s length, winning the set 25-16.

The Mustangs were led by senior Brooke Burmeister, who recorded 11 kills on the night. Close behind Burmeister was Diedrich, who put down nine kills. Mary Groth and McKell Anderson both chipped in six kills apiece. Emilee Gutzmer added 26 assists, while Rachel Westby picked up 15 digs.
The Mustangs improve to a record of 17-1 overall and 9-1 in the NSIC, while the Beavers fall to 3-14 overall and 1-9 in the NSIC.