MARSHALL, Minn. – Minot State University pushed No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State, but couldn't get over the hump in sets 2 and 3, falling 3-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference volleyball Friday.
 
The Beavers (3-12 overall, 1-6 NSIC) dropped set 1 25-16 before pushing SMSU (10-5, 5-2) 26-24 and 25-23 over the final two.
 
"I am super proud of how we played," said MISU head coach Travis Ward. "It's funny to talk about getting over the hump late as they are a really good volleyball team. We played very good volleyball overall. Take nothing away from Southwest, they are a great team. I thought both teams played at a high level."
 
The loss goes down as the Beavers sixth-straight setback in conference play, but during that time, MSU played two top 25 programs, went the distance with two others and have been in just about every set.
 
"We showed at home this past weekend and tonight – and have been on the road for the most part – that we can play and have been consistent. That's a tribute to the character of the kids," Ward said. "We just wish we could have gotten one of those and pushed to it to five."
 
The loss also spoiled the second straight milestone for the program as senior outside hitter Jen Dixon (Brandon, Manitoba) finished with 10 kills to break the Beavers all-time mark in kills. She past All-American Lisa Webb (2002-04) on the all-time list, finishing the night with 1,444 career kills. MSU setter Emily Byrne (Sr., Reno, Nev.) set the all-time assists mark last Saturday in a loss to No. 3 ranked Concordia-St. Paul.
 
"It's too bad we could get the win during these moments," Ward said. "It's such a special time for the program and I am proud to have been able to coach both of them. It's not just how they have been on the court, but in the community as well. I hope that North Dakota is able to keep them both because they are special people."
 
Dixon was one of three Beavers in double figures kills. Mallory Sall (Jr., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) paced Minot State with 14 kills, while Shaunessy Dauwalder (So., OH, Stanley, N.D.) added 11 kills and just one error for a superb .526 hitting percentage.
 
"Shaunessy is finally getting to play her position and has grown up into who she is going to be on the court," said Ward. "We have wanted her on the court and she has worked hard to get to this place. We are letting her be the athlete she is."
 
SMSU only committed 11 errors in the match, hitting .333 overall. The Mustangs cooled off from a blistering .500 hitting in set 1, but had 16 and 15 kills respectively in sets 2 and 3. Kenzie Beekman finished with 11 kills to pace SMSU, while Megan Larson added 25 assists in the win.
 
Byrne was slowed a bit after suffering a slight injury in set 1 and finished with 21 assists. KC Love (Fr., Dauphin, Manitoba) finished with 17 assists in her most extensive playing time of the season. Cindy Pelo (Jr., L, Idaho Falls, Idaho) and Dixon tied for top honors with nine digs apiece.
 
"We made the plan to have KC be a realistic option this week and I'm happy with how she played tonight," Ward said. "She's getting better. Emily turned her ankle a little in set 1 and it slowed us a little as she got taped and back out there, but I thought both setters played at a high level and it allows us to do some different things."
 
The Beavers will look to snap the NSIC losing streak with a match at the University of Sioux Falls Saturday at 2 p.m.