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Brooke Burmeister pounded a season-high 23 kills to lead the No. 1 Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs over Upper Iowa on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs earned the 3-1 victory with set wins of 29-27, 21-25, 25-17, 25-21 to improve to 23-1 overall, 15 in NSIC play, while the Peacocks fall to 15-10 overall, 9-7 in NSIC play.
Brooke Burmeister recorded her second double-double in as many days as the senior outside hitter recorded 23 kills and 22 digs. Four other Mustangs recorded double-digit kills as Abbey Thissen had 17, Mary Groth had 13 and McKell Anderson nailed 10. Setter Emilee Gutzmer set a career-high 63 assists in the contest and also managed her third career double double as she added 12 digs. Also collecting a double-double was freshman McKell Anderson as she had 10 kills and 17 digs in the match.
Defensively, Kelsey Hennen picked up 23 digs, Brooke Burmeister with 22, McKell Anderson with 17, Whitney Burmeister with 12 and Emilee Gutzmer had 12. As a team the Mustangs collected 100 digs.
The Mustangs ran into a much improved Upper Iowa team as the Peacocks were competitive throughout the match and even took a set from SMSU.
Upper Iowa was strong defensively as the Peacocks boasted 13 blocks, while forcing 35 Mustang errors and held SMSU to a .178 hitting percentage.
Kelsey Hennen recorded her first start in a Mustang uniform as she started at libero as the Mustangs were without Rachel Westby due to injury.
No. 1 SMSU will continue its three game road trip with a match-up with Wayne State on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
Courtesy: Adam Henning, Athletic Communiation Director
