The University of Minnesota Duluth defeated the University of Central Missouri in three sets in the NCAA II Central Region Quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon to fight on another day. The Bulldogs wrangled in the Jennies 25-15, 25-22, and 26-24 to play Washburn University. The Ichabods squeaked by Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Northern State University in five back-and-forth sets in the first match to open regional play.

Sophomore outside hitter Kate Berg led the way with her team-leading 10^th double-double. Berg notched 12 kills, a match high, and 13 digs in the win and junior libero Keena Seiffert guided the defense with a match-high 21 digs. Junior middle blocker Abby Thor hammered eight kills and was the block leader for UMD with five.

The Bulldogs, whom are 6-2 against ranked opponents, attacked at a .205 clip with 51 kills while the Jennies collected 31 kills on a .140 hitting percentage. Central Missouri came into the match averaging 18.78 digs per set, which was 29^th-best in the country. UMD seemed not bothered by that mark as the Bulldogs grabbed a 60-43 digs advantage in the digging department. Central Missouri averaged 14.33 digs per set, well below its season average.

Junior setter Emily Torve whipped up 45 assists and distributed the ball evenly among all five of the Bulldog hitters with everyone registered at least 18 swings. Those five hitters all reached at least eight kills as Torve and UMD kept the Jennies guessing on where the ball was going.

UMD came out on all cylinders in the opening set. Senior outside hitter Makenzie Morgen and Berg each compiled five kills in the first. The Bulldogs hit .394 in the set but the Jennies adapted to the UMD attack.
Central Missouri jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the second only to watch the Bulldogs chip away at the lead. Thor finally gave the Bulldogs the lead off a thunderous block to break the 19-19 tie. UMD hit only .136 in the second but had four aces in the frame.

The Jennies turned up the block in the third. The Bulldogs hit into the block eight times in the third but they were still able to pound home 19 kills. UMD had a 24-20 and finally sent UCM home on the fifth match point.

In the Bulldogs' 21^st appearance in the NCAA II Tournament, they are moving on to the semifinals for the 13^th time (13-8 in the first round) and are 2-0 in the regional tournament against Central Missouri. UMD is 25-20 in the NCAA postseason.

UMD will play tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. against Washburn for an opportunity to go to the regional final in back-to-back seasons.