Home court defended. 

The No. 7 University of Minnesota Duluth gnashed its way to a four-set win over St. Cloud State University Tuesday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. The Bulldogs, which has won the last 19 home contests, won 25-12, 22-25, 25-16, and 25-16 to split the season series with the Huskies.

The play wasn't the prettiest from UMD at times but they were able to push through in key moments to extract their revenge from an earlier loss by SCSU this season. The Bulldogs have tied or won the season series each of the last 22 seasons with the Huskies last claiming the season series in 1995 when it won all four matches. 

UMD (17-4; 10-2 NSIC) notched 60 kills with five attackers having nine or more kills in the match and hit .331 as a unit. Junior setter Emily Torve kept the offense turning like as has done each of last three weeks. Torve, the reigning, defending, undisputed NSIC setter of the week for the last three awards, handed out 50 assists but she did more than just set the ball. Torve ended with three kills, six digs and a season-high four blocks in the revenge match. Her counterpart and sister Maddy Torve dished out 36 assists with five digs, an ace and a kill in the friendly sibling rivalry.

Sophomore outside hitter Kate Berg, who didn't fare well in the first matchup, rebounded with a solid all-around performance. After a shaky opening few points, Berg ascended to the challenge put forth by SCSU and came away with her team-leading fourth double-double of the season. The Medina, Minn., native slammed home a match-tying high 14 kills and 18 digs, a new personal collegiate best. Berg was picked on 53 times by the Husky service game. However, it was Berg who prevailed with 23 first-ball kills off her passing alone.

Senior right side hitter Sarah Kelly had nine kills on a .353 hitting percentage but it was her defensive work that received the biggest approval from head coach Jim Boos. Kelly stuffed nine attacks which was easily a career high for the Chaska, Minn., native. She recorded at least a block in every set as the Bulldogs racked up 14 total blocks, tying a season high established in the five-set upset over then-No. 1 Northern State University.  

SCSU (11-7; 7-5 NSIC) tried to put up a formidable battle but was overpowered. The Huskies had critical breakdowns that led to their demise as they weren't able to side out. Torve served UMD to a 19-10 lead after a 10-0 run spearheaded by junior middle blocker Abby Thor who had four kills in the set and nine overall. In the pivotal third set, junior libero Keena Seiffert got the Bulldogs three straight points and, later, freshman defensive specialist Sydney Lanoue served out the rest of the third on a 11-0 run, UMD's largest run of the match. In the final set, sophomore defensive specialist Megan Freeberg created a pair of 3-0 rallies. 

Abby Templin led the way for the Huskies with 14 kills, tying Berg for the match high. Clara Krenz scooped up 18 digs to pace SCSU. The Huskies finished the match with a .091 attack clip.

The Bulldogs will return to Romano Gymnasium two more times this week to host Winona State University and Upper Iowa University in their annual Homecoming weekend festivities.