Box Score Senior outside hitter Kate Lange smashed career kill number 1,844 to earn the all-time career kills record for the University of Minnesota Duluth, and the No. 4 Bulldogs needed every one as they held on to beat No. 17 Wayne State (Neb.) College 3-2 in Wayne, Neb. on Friday evening.

It looked as if the record would wait a night as the Bulldogs (21-2, 11-2 NSIC) jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead, taking a hotly-contested first set 28-26 before pulling away late to take the second 25-17. Wayne State (16-7, 7-6 NSIC) turned their fortune around, taking a 15-5 lead and hanging on to take the third set 25-20. The two teams battled tight in the fourth, but Wayne forced a deciding fifth set with a 28-26 win. The Bulldogs finally clinched the victory with a 15-12 fifth set.

Kate Lange, a native of Hibbing, Minn., finished the match with 29 kills and 1,846 for her career, surpassing Vicky Braegelman's ('07) record of 1,843. She also hauled in 21 digs on the evening.

"Obviously, this is an exciting moment for Kate and for our program," coach Jim Boos said after the match. "Not only is this a huge accomplishment for her, but it's great that it came in a tough, hard-fought match against a really quality opponent -- and a win. She's set the bar high for the future of UMD volleyball."

Lange was not alone with impressive nights offensively: junior outside hitter Katie Ledwell posted career highs with 15 kills and 19 digs, and sophomore middle blocker Monica Turner also hit double figures, smacking 12 kills of her own. Sophomore setter Ashley Hinsch collected a career-high 70 assists on the evening, distributing the ball evenly as five Bulldogs had at least eight kills. UMD hit .282 on the night while Wayne battled tough with a .249 kill percentage.

Defensively, junior libero Julie Rainey led the way for the Bulldogs with 30 digs. Now sitting at 1,569 for her career, she sits at third place in the all-time Bulldog ranks. The record is held by Cheryl Carlson ('91) who grabbed 1,703 defensive saves in her carer.

The Bulldogs will continue on the road tomorrow afternoon as they take on Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. That match is set for a 4:00 p.m. opening serve.