KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Midwestern State freshman Sadie Portmann put down 10 kills and made eight digs in her collegiate debut Friday morning in the season opener against Sioux Falls at the Nebraska-Kearney Fall Classic.

But the effort wasn't enough to overcome the Cougars' stellar effort at the net as USF combined for 14 total blocks and a solid team effort from the service line with 13 aces  to come away with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-16 sweep of the Mustangs at UNK's Health and Sports Center.

Midwestern State came out swinging hitting .250 as a team in the opening set and held a 23-21 edge before the Cougars closed out on a 4-0 run to take the opening set.

That storyline continued for Sioux Falls, erased a 22-19 deficit in the second set by rattling off six consecutive points to claim the second set 25-22.

The Mustangs rode Portmann's swing during a 6-1 run to pull even at 11-all in the third set, but Sioux Falls won nine of the next 10 points to take control and finish off the match.

Sophomore Jordan Kuper finished with 11 kills with two errors on 19 swings for a .474 hitting percentage to lead the Cougars. She also had five total blocks, while freshman Courtney Holsteen added eight kills and five blocks.

Midwestern State senior Aaliyah Burras finished with eight kills, while sophomore Kelli Ell added seven kills.

Sophomore Amy DeWalt led back row effort with nine digs, while Lauryn Bourne and Regan Willms had nine each.

Midwestern State takes on No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney tonight at the Health and Sports Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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