Box Score Box Score

Northern State University won its fifth in a row, knocking off the No. 2 University of Minnesota Duluth at Romano Gym on Saturday afternoon in four sets.

It was the second time in the five-game stretch that the surging Wolves (15-3, 8-3 NSIC) beat a ranked opponent in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, previously defeating Wayne State (Neb.) earlier this month. After falling behind 2-0 in a pair of defensive sets , the Bulldogs (19-2, 9-2 NSIC) took the third game before finally succumbing to Northern in the fourth. The loss is the first at home for UMD since the 2011 season.

The Wolves scored nine blocks and continuously stymied the Bulldogs' attack, holding UMD to a .165 kill percentage. Still, senior outside hitter Kate Lange collected 20 kills on 51 swings and now sits 41 behind Vicky Braegelman for most in a Bulldog career. Junior right-side hitter Maddy Siroin barely missed double digts as she collected nine kills in the match. Four players for Northern State had at least 10 kills.

For UMD, it was all-hands-on-deck on the defensive end with five players each collecting at least ten digs. Lange and junior outside hitter Katie Ledwell led the way with 16 digs, while junior libero Julie Rainey added 14 of her own. Sophomore setter Ashley Hinsch had 48 of the Bulldogs' 56 assists and had 11 digs. Senior defensive specialist Elizabeth Benusa rounded out the groupd as she added 10.

UMD will not have long to regroup as they take on St. Cloud State University on Tuesday evening as NSIC competition rolls on. That match is set for a 7:00 p.m. opening serve in St. Cloud.