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NO. 4 UMD DROPS NORTHERN STATE IN STRAIGHT SETS

Friday, September 14, 2012

Reigning NSIC Setter of the Week Ashley Hinsch passed out 46 assists Friday against Northern State.

Ten months after claiming a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference crown, the University of Minnesota Duluth officially began defense of its conference title. The Bulldogs made a strong case for their candidacy in the 2012 NSIC race, upending Northern State University in straight sets (25-17, 25-14, 25-14) before a crowd of 518 Friday evening at Romano Gymnasium.

No. 4 UMD (10-0 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC) put on an offensive clinic in the NSIC opener, registering more than twice as many kills as the visiting Wolves (5-4; 0-1). The Bulldogs hit a staggering .385 for the match with 52 kills, holding Noethern State to an .082 attack percentage. With the three-set win, UMD has not dropped a set in seven matches and now holds a commanding 45-1 lead in the all-time series with Northern State.

Junior outside hitter Kate Lange paced the UMD offense with 21 kills, adding eight digs and a pair of block assists to her credit. Senior middle blocker Kalli Lochner joined Lange as the only other attacker to reach double figures in kills with 11 on 22 swings. Reigning NSIC setter of the week Ashley Hinsch had another solid outing, dishing 46 assists to go along with six digs and a service ace.

The Bulldogs return home to Romano Gym Saturday night, when UMD will lock horns with No. 22 Minnesota State University-Moorhead to close out a season-long seven-match homestand.

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