Box Score MARSHALL, Minn. – The Minot State University volleyball team fell is straight sets to No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State University Friday night during a Northern Sun match.

It was the fifth time this season the Beavers (12-15 overall, 7-10 NSIC) have played a nationally ranked team as they fell to the Mustangs (19-6 overall, 14-3 NSIC) 25-14, 25-20, 25-20.

"SMSU is a really good team," said Minot State head coach Travis Ward. We definitely are growing as a program and look to be as consistent as they are in the near future."

After hitting just .065 in the first set, Minot State came out with much more energy in sets two and three. However the Mustang attack was just too much as they hit .292 throughout the three sets to take their fourteenth NSIC win.

Jen Dixon (Jr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) led the Beavers with 10 kills in the loss. Dixon also had 11 digs for her fifth double-double in her last six matches. Kelsey Wingo (Sr., MH, Twain Harte, Calif.) also had a solid match for MISU with nine kills on 18 attempts for a team-high .278 hitting percentage.

"I am really proud of Jen tonight," said Ward. "She came into the match not feeling well and showed a ton of character and performed really well against a good despite the sickness. It is fun to coach kids that don't make excuses like Jen did tonight."

The Mustangs were led offensively by Abbey Thissen with 15 kills. SMSU's setter and 2012 NSIC Freshman of the Year Emilee Gutzmer notched 36 kills for SMSU in the win.

With the loss, Saturday's matchup with University of Sioux Falls (17-10 overall) means even more for the Beavers. USF defeated U-Mary Friday night to move to 8-9 in NSIC play while the Beavers sit a game behind.

It is arguably the biggest match of the season for Minot State as they need a win to keep their NSIC Tournament dreams alive.