The University of Minnesota Duluth took care of business Friday night, downing Upper Iowa University in straight sets.
The Bulldogs move to 24-3 (16-3 NSIC) on the season and remain in a tie for third place in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Upper Iowa falls to 12-16 (6-13 NSIC) on the year. UMD sweeps UIU for the second time this season and has yet to drop a match to the Peacocks in program history (13-0 all-time).
The Bulldogs put together a solid offensive performance all-around, hitting .308 as a team while holding the UIU to a .168 attack percentage. UMD topped the Peacocks in nearly every stat, including 51-32 in kills, 49-32 in assists, and 58-44 in digs. Both teams picked up seven blocks on the match. Sophomore outside hitter
Makenzie Morgen downed a career-high 18 kills while adding eight digs and hitting .318. Senior outside hitter
Taylor Wissbroecker also put out an outstanding performance, tallying 17 kills and nine digs while hitting .556, her second highest output of the season. Freshman setter
Emily Torve, who was recently named the NSIC's Freshman of the Year, assisted 41 times and added six digs.
After a close start to the first set and a 11-10 UMD lead, the Bulldogs began to pull away by taking four of the next five points and six of the next eight – forcing a timeout by Upper Iowa. UMD continued to extend its lead to 24-18, with Wissbroecker knocking down the set point to cap off a 25-19 win.
The Bulldogs were forced to play from behind much of the second set, falling behind by four points twice in the first 20 points. UMD responded to the Peacocks' 12-8 lead by tying the game at 12 following four straight points. An attack error by UIU sparked a five point run for the Bulldogs and ultimately gave them the advantage the remainder of the set. UMD went on to take the second frame by a score of 25-19.
Looking to put the Peacocks away in three sets for the second time of 2016, the Bulldogs hit an impressive .421 in the third set. UMD used five and seven point runs to jump to a 21-11 lead late in the set. Upper Iowa began to mount a comeback, but another kill from Wissbroecker concluded the match with a 25-18 set and 3-0 Bulldog victory.
Senior middle blocker
Sydnie Mauch, who picked up four more blocks on the night, inches her way closer to the all-time UMD block leader. Mauch has recorded 378 blocks in her four-year career and trails 2015 graduate
Monica Turner by just eight blocks for the all-time record.
UMD is back in action tomorrow evening as they matchup with No. 6 Winona State University in a meaningful match for NSIC tournament position. The Bulldogs and WSU are currently tied at 16-3 in the NSIC standings. Opening serve is scheduled at 4 p.m for the final regular season game for UMD.
