Box Score Box Score

With a match against the No. 1 team in the nation ahead on its schedule, the University of Minnesota Duluth did not overlook its Friday night Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent as the Bulldogs dropped Minnesota State University in straight sets at Romano Gym.

UMD (27-2, 17-2 NSIC) opened the first set with an 8-3 run against the Mavericks (13-14, 8-11 NSIC) and pulled further away late to win the first set 25-17. The second set began as a back-and-forth battle with MSU within one at 14-13. MSU called a timeout at 18-14 UMD, but it only seemed to spark the Bulldogs more as they scored seven of the last 11 points to take the set 25-18. UMD dominated the third and final set, opening up to an 11-point lead at 21-10 and holding on the rest of the way to win 25-14.

The teams highlighted their All-NSIC selections before the match. NSIC Player of the Year and UMD senior outside hitter Kate Lange lived up to her billing as she led the Bulldogs with 12 kills on the night. Freshman middle blocker Sydnie Mauch also notched 12 kills while leading UMD with a .526 hitting percentage. All-NSIC First team setter Ashley Hinsch (So.) collected 33 assists on the night.

The match required a strong defensive effort from both sides and the NSIC's Libero of the Year, UMD junior Julie Rainey hauled in 26 digs on the night as she inched ever-closer to the UMD career record. Rainey needs just 23 to tie the all-time Bulldog mark of 1,703.

With the win, UMD locks up the second seed in the NSIC tournament and will host a first-round match at Romano Gym on Wednesday evening, but first the Bulldogs will close out the regular season against the top-rated Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears tomorrow afternoon on "Pack the Gym" night at Romano Gym. Opening serve is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.