The top-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth ended a short two-match losing skid with a comeback Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory over the University of Sioux Falls, taking the final three games to win 3-1 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Saturday afternoon.
No. 1 UMD (14-4, 7-2 NSIC) ended the week on a high note, with senior outside hitter
Mariah Scharf knocking down 20 kills for the second straight match after surpassing 1,000 in her career the night before. On the other side of the net and the age spectrum, first-year right-side hitter
Sarah Kelly had a break out game with 17 kills against Sioux Falls (8-10, 0-9 NSIC).
After spotting USF a 9-5 lead, the Bulldogs began to rally back in the opening game but fell 25-23 when the Cougars hit a match-high .425 with 21 kills and just four errors. UMD posted its best attacking game in the second, responding by opening up a 19-10 lead and holding on for a 25-21 victory. That sparked a relative even third game where the teams combined for 15 attacking errors with Sioux Falls drawing even late and the Bulldogs needing extras to knock off the Cougars 28-26. In control for much of game four, UMD let USF slip by to a 22-20 lead but then scored the game's final five points to win 25-22.
OUTSIDE HITSThe Bulldogs run their record to 7-0 all-time against the Cougars ... UMD freshman libero
Erin Schindler and USF's Abby Folk each grabbed 16 digs in the match ... senior middle blocker
Monica Turner knocked down four blocks, including two solo for the Bulldogs ... senior setter
Ashley Hinsch added a pair of kills, two blocks, and six digs to her match-high 59 assists.
UP NEXTUMD's schedule gets no easier next week as pair of ranked foes will come to Duluth in the form of Augustana (S.D.) University and Wayne State (Neb.) College. The Bulldogs and Vikings will get the action start on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
