The University of Minnesota Duluth had its season cut short in the NCAA II Central Region semifinals to Washburn University. The Bulldogs finished the season 28-6 while the Ichabods improved to 31-4 overall and moved on to the NCAA Central Regional final for the fourth time in program history. 

No. 8 Washburn came back in the first set down 23-19 to steal the opening set 26-24. From there, it controlled the pace of the match. The No. 8 Ichabods grabbed the second set 25-18 and, once again, took the third set 27-25 and the match after UMD failed to capitalize set points.

Backed by a eight-match winning streak, No. 4 UMD came into the national tournament rolling after securing the Northern Intercollegiate Conference regular season and tournament championships, both firsts since 2014. However, it didn't have enough to overcome the impending buzz saw. Washburn was just a step faster and was able to swing the momentum in its favor in key opportune times. The Bulldogs missed on one set point in the opening frame and two more in the third when it needed to keep their season alive.

With the loss, the Bulldogs are 25-21 in the postseason tournament and 8-4 in the regional semifinal. Despite both teams housing successful programs, it was the first meeting between one another.

UMD finished with a .164 hitting percentage while the Ichabods hit .240 for the match. Washburn had five more kills but the Bulldogs had 21 attack errors including 14 unforced. UMD had the advantage in blocks 

Sophomore outside hitter Kate Berg had 10 kills and 10 digs for her team-leading 11 double-double. Berg, who also had four blocks, registered a double-double in the last three matches. Junior libero Keena Seiffert posted a team-high 17 digs. Junior setter Emily Torve dialed up 38 assists in the final setback. Junior right side hitter Hanna Meyer collected six kills while junior middle blocker Abby Thor amassed six kills and two blocks. Sophomore defensive specialist Megan Freeberg scooped up three digs and freshman defensive specialist Sydney Lanoue had two digs. Freshman outside hitter Meredith Sutton also had one kill in one set of action. 

Not the way they wanted the season to end but seniors Makenzie Morgen and Sarah Kelly played in their final collegiate matches. Morgen capped the match with eight kills, eight digs, and a block. Kelly posted nine kills, six blocks and three digs in her final match in a Bulldog uniform. Since Morgen joined the Bulldogs in 2016, UMD has gone 79-18 with three NCAA appearances. Morgen, the native of Appleton, Wis., finished with 1,063 kills and 952 digs while averaging 3.52 points per set. Kelly, the native of Chaska, Minn., signed off on her four-year career with 1,309 kills, 481 digs and 284 blocks. She now officially owns the highest attack clip of any Bulldog in the history of the program. Kelly's attack percentage for her career was .384.

Kelly and Torve were named to the all-tournament team. Kelly averaged 3.00 kills per set and 1.50 blocks per set in the two matches while Torve averaged 13.83 assists per set.