SMSU Volleyball makes return trip to NCAA Tournament

The SMSU volleyball team put together another outstanding season this fall and was rewarded with its first trip to the NCAA Central Region Tournament since 2018 and the 17th in program history.

Under the direction of second-year head coach Tyler Boddy, SMSU earned the No. 3 seed in the tournament before suffering a 3-1 setback to No. 6 seed Nebraska Kearney in the tournament quarterfinals in St. Paul, Minn.

SMSU, which just missed qualifying for the NCAA Central Region Tournament in 2022, closed this season with a 23-7 record, while finishing third in the NSIC with a 14-4 mark. SMSU has won 21 or more matches in 18 of the last 19 seasons.

The Mustangs, who were ranked among the Top 10 nationally nearly all season (moving as high as No. 5 on Nov. 13) had four players earn postseason honors. Outside hitter, Leah Jones, was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year along with earning AllNSIC first team honors. Senior setter, Alisa Bengen, junior outside hitter, Saari Kuehl, and sophomore defensive specialist, McKenzie Tolk, were named All-NSIC second team.