The No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth took the University Sioux Falls on Friday evening. The Bulldogs swept the Cougars in three sets (25-9, 25-17, 25-15) and improve to 18-2 on the year, 11-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while USF falls to 14-6, 6-6 in the NSIC.
 
UMD swung at a clip of .386 in the match this evening, while USF swung .073 for the match. The Bulldogs finish with six blocks on the evening and the Cougars had two.
 
The first set saw UMD get off to a quick lead, going up 5-3 to start. The Bulldogs kept the momentum rolling throughout the set, keeping the lead the rest of the set. USF was unable to score more than two points in a row during the set. The Bulldogs would finish the set 25-9.
 
In the second, the Cougars would strike first. UMD was able to score the next four and take a 4-1 lead. USF would battle its' way back into the score, eventually tying it at 10 a side. The Bulldogs would find their footing and take a 17-13 lead, forcing a USF timeout. The Cougars would come out of the timeout, rattling off two quick points. UMD found momentum and would score the next four to force another USF timeout at 21-15. The Bulldogs would finish the set 25-17.
 
In the third and final set, the Bulldogs again would hop out to an early lead at 4-1. UMD would hold that lead throughout the set. UMD would not let the Cougars rally more than two points In the set, and would hold a commanding lead throughout. The Bulldogs would take the set 25-15 and complete the sweep.
 
Senior setter Emily Balts collected 37 assists in the sweep, bringing her career total to 5,003. Balts surpassed the 5,000 assist milestone in the final set. She would also finish with one kill, 13 digs and one block on the evening.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Meredith Sutton would floor 15 in the sweep, with three blocks, 5 digs and a .375 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Kate Berg would collect 15 kills in the win, digging six and swinging at a .455 clip. Senior defensive specialist Keena Seiffert would sig 16 in the match, collecting one ace and five assists. Senior middle blocker Abby Thor would floor five, swinging at a .385 for the match and putting up five blocks.
 
The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow in a top 15 match-up against No. 11 Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs in Duluth, Minn. at 4pm.