In a matchup between the two best teams in NCAA II, Wayne State College found a way to beat the University of Minnesota Duluth at its own game and remain unbeaten. The Wildcats outblocked the Bulldogs -- who came in leading the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a team average of 2.4 blocks per set -- by an eight-to-two margin en route to a 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21) victory before an announced crowd of 1,202 at Rice Auditorium.

UMD (14-1 overall, 6-1 NSIC) was unable to shake off a sluggish opening set. Wayne State (15-0, 6-0) had things going on offense from the get-go, which made it tough for the Bulldogs to steal a come-from-behind win. After UMD leveled the score by taking the second set, the two teams found themselves in a 22-22 deadlock in the third game, when Wayne State rattled off three consecutive points to take a 2-1 lead. That third set victory seemed to give the Wildcats the momentum they needed to pick up the fourth set and the win.

Despite getting a season-high 17 kills on an attack percentage of .387 from senior middle blocker Alyssa Nelson, UMD was unable to consistently find a way around the Wayne State defense. The Bulldogs matched the WIldcats with 61 kills on the evening, but were less efficient in reaching that total. Wayne State finished hitting a collective .333, UMD hit .235.

Junior setter Eleena Iisakka picked up 52 assists, helping junior middle blocker April Hansen rack up 15 kills. Senior outside hitter Katie Kuffel finish with 12 kills. Brenda Hansen paced the Bulldog defense with 15 digs.

UMD will look to salvage a split tomorrow evening, when the Bulldogs travel to Augustana College to close out the weekend.