Box Score Box Score

The second-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth won eight of the first ten points on Saturday night in Bismarck and held serve the rest of the way, defeating the University of Mary in straight sets.

After their strong start, the Bulldogs (18-1, 8-1 NSIC) traded points with the Marauders (3-13, 0-9 NSIC) through the majority of the first set before taking finally taking game one 25-17. Game two saw UMD collect four-, five-, and six-point runs as they rolled past U-Mary 25-10. The Bulldogs utilized a 12-3 run in the third set to seal the sweep with a 25-14 final-set victory.

After another dominant performance collecting 19 kills, senior outside hitter Kate Lange moved up one more spot and now sits second in the all-time ranks at UMD. At 1,759 for her career, she is 84 back of Vicky Braegelman for most in a Bulldog career. Lange also added one solo block to move into fourth-place all-time at UMD in that category with 90.

Sophomore setter Ashley Hinsch had 25 of UMD's 28 assists. Sophomore middle blocker Monica Turner had a strong night with 10 kills on 14 swings, good for a .571 hitting percentage. Defensively, junior libero Julie Rainey hauled in 16 digs, moving her up the all-time ranks at UMD to fourth in that category with 1,470 for her career. Junior outside hitter Katie Ledwell also reached double digits with 11 digs in the match. The Bulldogs collected seven blocks as a team.

The Bulldogs will be back at Romano Gym next weekend to take on Minnesota State University-Moorhead on Friday night, followed by a match with Northern State University on Saturday.