The No. 1 University of Minnesota Duluth got back on track this afternoon on the final day of the Wildcat Open. The Bulldogs thumped Lake Superior State University and Northwood University with straight-set victories to end the tournament at .500. UMD is 6-2 overall after completing the non-conference portion of its schedule. 

Senior right side hitter Sarah Kelly was named to the Wildcat Open All-Tournament Team. The 2017 AVCA First Team All-American tallied 2.46 kills per set, 1.70 digs per set and 0.7 blocks per set over the weekend.

The Bulldog attack improved after a poor showing yesterday. UMD collected 14.0 kills per set and combined to hit .263 on the day as it nullified 20 errors from the day before. From a defensive standpoint, UMD continues to hinder and stifle opposing attacks. Opponents, thus far, are hitting a minute .119 from the court. No team has registered a match attacking percentage above .200. The Lakers were able to whip up a .030 percentage while Northwood did sightly better, hitting 39 points higher.

Junior outside hitter Hanna Meyer was the Bulldogs' most effective attacker on the day. The native of Tomahawk, Wis., buried 19 kills, hitting a team-high .375, and added three blocks. Senior outside hitter Makenzie Morgen was featured as the main weapon in the UMD arsenal. Morgen gathered 23 combined kills and led the Bulldogs in kills in each match. Junior Keena Seiffert piled up 29 digs including a game-high 15 in the triumph over Northwood. Junior middle blocker Abby Thor had 14 kills and 6 blocks total. Thor hit a blazing .533 against Lake State.

The Bulldogs return to Duluth and gear up for the home opener on Thursday, Sept. 6. UMD, who finish tied for third in conference play at 16-4 last year, will host Bemidji State in the first-ever match at AMSOIL Arena to christen in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. First serve of that matchup is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m


.