MARSHALL, Minn. -- [box score] The Bemidji State University volleyball team was defeated by No. 22 Southwest Minnesota State University, 3-0, (30-24, 30-20, 30-21), Friday evening at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn. The Beavers fall to 7-10 overall and 3-10 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play after the loss.

As the Beavers continue to look for some consistency on the attack, Brittney Burns (Jr., OH, LeSueur, Minn.), Jennifer Janckila (So., MB, Appleton, Wis.) and Chelsea Utzerath (Jr., Opp., Beavers Dam, Wis.) each collected seven kills. Floor general Alicia Beaman's (Jr., S, St. Paul Park, Minn.) .250 (2-0-8) hitting percentage led a team that hit just .066 (32-24-122) in the match. She also combined 23 set assists and 10 digs for her 10th double-double of the season.

Allison Hyatt (Jr., DS/L, MineCentre, Ont.) led all Beavers' defense with 12 digs while Janckila, Utzerath and Anna Leafblad (Fr., MB, Coon Rapids, Minn.) each posted a block assists as BSU was beaten on the block 8.0 to 2.0.

The Mustangs were led by a double-double performance from All-American hopeful and conference-leading attacker Erin Contons. The junior posted match highs of 18 kills and 15 digs. Tricia Ingvalson added eight kills and topped an SMSU team that hit .262 (54-15-149) in the match successfully attacking at a .412 (8-1-17) clip.

Kasey Loeslie led all players with seven blocks.

The win was the ninth straight for the Mustangs as they improved to 22-5 overall and 11-2 in league play. It also increased their grip on the all-time series to 47-31 since the rivalry began in 1977.

Bemidji State (7-19; 3-10 NSIC) continues its string of road games tomorrow afternoon when it attempts to knock off a nationally-ranked team for the first time in five tries this season at No. 23 Wayne State College. The match is set for a 3 p.m. start at WCS's Rice Auditorium.