After putting together a stellar week, Hanna Meyer impressed with her best performance yet. The junior outside hitter smashed a career high 21 kills to lift the University of Minnesota Duluth to a four-set victory over Minnesota State University Moorhead in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Friday night in front of 733 fans in the revamped Romano Gymnasium.

The highly anticipated reveal of the new-look Romano didn't hinder the Bulldogs (11-3; 5-1 NSIC) as they took the first two sets 25-15 and 25-22.The Dragons (8-5; 4-2 NSIC) barely escaped the third set (25-27) to force a fourth. UMD put the hammer down and took the fourth and final set handedly 25-12.

Meyer led the Bulldogs in kills in three of the four sets and even had seven kills alone in the second. She finished with 21 kills on 43 swings with only four errors, for a robust .395 attack clip. Last week, Meyer averaged 3.89 kills per set and recorded 18 kills, her previous career-high, in the contest against Minot State. She has been a present surprise for the team which returned all but a starting middle blocker a season ago.

Junior defensive specialist Keena Seiffert also had a superior game in the backcourt. The Chaska, Minn., native tied her collegiate high in digs scooping up a match-high 25 with 10 of those coming in the second frame. It was the fifth 20-plus dig effort of her career. 

Junior setter Emily Torve dished out 53 assists, tying her season high. She was one of two players to record a double-double in the contest for UMD. Torve picked up 13 digs to notch her first double-double of the year. The Loretto, Minn., native also turned the tide in the opening set on her serve. The Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run to escape the grasp of MSU Moorhead after trading the lead twice.

Senior outside hitter Makenzie Morgen fed off that advantage. She registered seven of her 15 kills in that opening set. Morgen was the other Bulldog to notch a double-double as she posted 11 digs. 

The Dragons extended the match thanks to the block. Frustration started to show for the Bulldogs in the third set as MSU Moorhead tacked on seven of its 10 total blocks in the set. UMD trailed in much of the set but did rally to hold a brief lead. The Dragons grabbed the fifth lead change at 26-25 and stole the set on a ball-handling error. 

MSU Moorhead wasn't the only team to stifle the opposition at the point of attack. UMD also compiled 10 blocks led by the middle blocking duo of Abby Thor and Summer Ballard. Thor, packed four Dragon attacks and even had three digs after stuffing the net. Ballard turned away six attacks including a pair of solo blocks on her own. The freshman's six blocks were also a career high.

The Bulldogs welcome in No. 1 Northern State University to Romano Gymnasium in a clash of the nation's best tomorrow afternoon. First serve is schedule at 2:00 p.m.