Trailing 17-10 deep into the third set, a frustrated Jim Boos called time out and reminded his squad of the simple things that made the University of Minnesota Duluth worthy of its ninth-ranked billing. Message sent and received.

What ever Boos said in that huddle worked as the Bulldogs fought back and stole the third and final set 26-24 from St. Cloud State University at Halenback Hall in St. Cloud, Minn. Freshman outside hitter Kate Berg directed the surging UMD club after the 75 second speech. Berg had two kills and two service aces during a six-point stretch to close the gap to 19-17. The Huskies looked to have stalled the comeback but four straight SCSU errors tied the game at 22. Senior middle blocker Allison Olley had back-to-back points to give UMD set-and-match point. Berg thought she had the match won but her kill was overturned to create extra volleyball. Junior right side hitter Sarah Kelly blasted home the next point then Berg finished the match on her second attempt giving the Bulldogs the 25-17, 25-18, 26-24 victory.

UMD improved to 20-4 and 13-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference while its counterparts, SCSU, dropped to 15-11 overall and 7-9 in the NSIC. The Bulldogs defeated the Huskies for the 34 consecutive time dating back to 1998 and, in the process, completed the season sweep.

Berg's critical role in third gave her a match-high 13 kills as she rolled up her fifth double-double of the season, piecing together 13 digs. Berg was one of three players to register 13 digs for UMD. Junior outside hitter Makenzie Morgen and sophomore libero Keena Seiffert teamed up with Berg on the defensive effort where the Bulldogs made its fair share of hustle plays defensively to keep points alive. Erin Navratil had 10 kills and Clara Kenz had 20 digs to top all Huskies.

Olley racked up six blocks to pace all players. Olley was a presence at the net in key moments as she had a solo block to end the first frame, a double block with sophomore outside hitter Hanna Meyer to finish the second and then had back-to-back double blocks with Kelly on the torrid comeback to tie the third stanza at 21. Sophomore setter Emily Torve got the offense rolling again as the team hit .314 and above .300 after a brief two-game spell.

While UMD may have won the showdown of the dogs, there was also a friendly family rivalry brewing. Torve dished out 41 assists in the three set match and outduelled her younger sister Maddy Torve, who is a freshman setter for SCSU. Maddy had 20 assists and five digs for the Huskies. The sister rivalry will sure to continue for the next two seasons as both sisters have played significant roles for both of their respective teams. 
 
The Bulldogs, who finished up a three-match five-day road stand, will return home this Friday and Saturday. UMD will hope to keep its perfect home record of 8-0 intact with NSIC engagements against No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls University.