The No. 2 University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team hits the tournament circuit for a second weekend to open the season, this time staying a bit closer to home in Kenosha, Wis.
 
After racking up victories and accolades for last week's play in the Florida panhandle, the Bulldogs enter the University of Wis.-Parkside tournament as the lone team in the field sitting at 4-0.
 
The Opponents
Tournament Page

For the second straight weekend, the Bulldogs will take on the No. 19 team in the country—this time in the Greyounds of the University of Indianapolis.
 
 
UMD continues tomorrow's action by taking on the other Wayne State, the University version from Michigan. The Warriors went 3-1 in their opening weekend and will take on the Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m.

Senior outside hitter Kristen Bulkiewicz and sophomore setter Madison Reeves each had impressive weekends to start the season. Bulkiewicz racked up 46 kills and 40 digs while Madison Reeves added 131 assists. As a team, Wayne State hit .208 and averaged 11.6 kills per set.
 
On Saturday, the Bulldogs do battle with the hosts of Wis.-Parkside with a noon start. The Rangers sit at .500 after four games, having fallen to No. 1 University of Tampa last Saturday.
 
Five players saw the floor in all 14 sets for Wis.-Parkside, including senior libero Sarah Mlachnik, but it was senior outside hitter Briget Nickel who smashed 46 kills in just 11 sets last weekend.
 
UMD closes out tournament play against the Flyers of Lewis University at 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Lewis enters this weekend after a 1-3 start, including a loss to then-No. 5 Brigham Young University-Hawaii.
 
Junior front-line player Kim Vetin smacked 49 kills over the weekend with sophomore middle blocker Morgan Cebula sitting just behind with 43. Senior libero Amy Choi lifted 79 defensive digs on the weekend.

Live statistics will be available for Saturday's matches via the Wis.-Parkside website or clicking here.
 
The Line-Up
While senior outside hitter Kate Lange received national recognition with an AVCA Division II Player of the Week selection, the Bulldogs had impressive weekends across their line-up.
 
Freshman middle blocker Sydnie Mauch smashed four solo blocks in her collegiate debut last Friday to finish with ten total blocks in just nine sets.
 
In earning all-tournament team honors, UMD's sophomore setter Ashley Hinsch tallied 178 assists in 15 sets. Junior libero Julie Rainey added an NSIC Defensive Player of the Week nod to her all-tournament team selection. She had five service aces, 82 digs, and just one reception error while playing in ever set for the Bulldogs.
 
UMD will finally return to its home court next week but cannot overlook this weekend's opposition as it looks to continue its winning ways. The Bulldogs will need to continue the strong play which helped them jump to second in the nation as they continue to make this the Year of the Bulldogs.