MARSHALL, Minn. – The No. 24 Winona State volleyball team fell 3-0 at No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State Friday night at the PE Gym in Marshall, Minnesota.

The Warriors battled with the Mustangs early, holding a 9-6 lead in set one on the strength of four straight points on three Mustang errors. SMSU battled back to tie it at 13-all, but a second 4-0 run from the Warriors pushed their lead back to 20-17 and WSU appeared poised to take the first set. SMSU, however, answered with four points of their own to force a WSU timeout after a 22-21 lead. Out of the timeout, SMSU scored again before a Maria Wrage kill brought WSU within one. SMSU had one final burst and took the final three points and a 25-21 win.

WSU held another early lead at 7-3 in the second set before six straight SMSU points put the Mustangs up 11-8. An ace from McKenna Larsen brought WSU back to within a point at 19-18, but the Mustangs pulled away late yet again for another 25-21 win. SMSU then finished off the match with a 25-15 win.

Maria Fruechte led the Warriors with seven kills, while Taylor Goar and Maria Wrage added six.

McKenna Larsen had 23 assists and nine digs, while Jamie Cairncross led WSU with 10 digs and Laruen Kudronowicz added five blocks.

Winona State (15-9, 9-8 NSIC) travels to Sioux Falls to take on the Cougars Saturday at 4 p.m.