The No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth played host to Bemidji State on Tuesday evening, beating the Beavers in four sets, 3-1 (25-15, 25-13, 24-26, 25-18). UMD improves to 21-3 overall (14-2 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) on the year. BSU drops to 7-17 overall (4-12 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) on the year. With the win, UMD clinches a spot in the eight team NSIC Tournament.

The Bulldogs clipped at a .293 rate for the day, out pacing the Beavers who swung at a .164 clip for the evening. UMD finishes with a total of eight blocks as a squad, while BSU blocked a total of seven as a team.

The first set started with the Bulldogs dropping in the first two, taking an early 2-0 lead before the Beavers dropped one in. UMD didn't let BSU get back into the set, with the Beavers only able to go on two rallies, one for three points and another for just two. The Bulldogs were able to find momentum early and ride that to the end of the set. UMD would start to separate themselves from BSU after the Beavers dropped in the their second point, putting the score at 3-2 in favor of the Bulldogs. UMD would rattle four straight before BSU was able to drop one in. The Bulldogs would then go on a 15-3 run, giving them an 18-5 lead before the Beavers would strike again. UMD would finish the set out, 25-15, not letting BSU hang around.

The Beavers would lead things off in the second with a kill, taking the 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs would nab the next four points and take the momentum with a 4-1 lead. With the next point going to BSU, UMD would rattle three straight before the teams would trade points until the Bulldogs would go on an 8-1 rally and jump to a 10 point lead at 17-6. UMD would again keep its foot on the pedal and keep the pressuring rolling throughout the remainder of the set, with the teams trading points to finish out the set with the Bulldogs taking it, 25-13.

UMD would hop out to an early 3-0 lead before dropping a point to BSU. The squads would go back and forth before the Beavers were able to grab three points and tie things back up at six a side. The Bulldogs would drop a point, and BSU would match before UMD put up two more points. The Beavers matched and raised with four points of their own, hopping out to an 11-9 lead. Both sides didn't give in as the set saw 10 ties over the duration, with five different lead changes happening during the set. After the Beavers would force extra points, they would take the lead and drop in the extra point to take the set, 24-26.

UMD would come out in the final set firing, taking an early 4-0 lead and scoring seven of the first eight in the set, hopping to a 7-1 lead to start off the final frame. BSU would drop in four points of their own to pull itself within three points. The two sides would go blow for blow before the Beavers were able to widdle down the Bulldogs lead and tie things at 11 a side. UMD did not take lightly to the BSU coming back, going on a 6-1 rally and jumping back ti a five point lead at 17-12. BSU  would trade points with the Bulldogs until UMD floored two straight to finish out the fourth set, 25-18.

Sophmore defensive specialist Sydney Lanoue finished with two aces, digging 14 in the match. Sophomore middle blocker Summer Ballard would drop in 12 kills on the night, hitting at a .526 clip and blocking four along the way. Junior defensive specialist Megan Freeberg would finish the match dropping two aces on the night. Junior outside hitter Kate Berg would floor a match high 18 kills, swinging at a .261 on the night while digging 13. Senior defensive specialist Keena Seiffert would dig a match high 19 on the night, picking up five assists along the way. Senior setter Emily Balts dished out 51 assists in the match, going 4 for 5 on attacks, swinging at a .800 clip and blocking two. Senior right side hitter Hanna Meyer dropped down seven kills on the night, blocking three along the way. Senior middle blocker Abby Thor dropped in 16 kills, swinging at a .452 clip on the night and blocking four.

The Bulldogs continue their homestand on Friday, Nov 8 at 6 PM (Pack the Gym night), playing host to NSIC rival Concordia-St. Paul in a top 10 match up, CSP ranked just behind UMD at the No. 6 spot. The Bulldogs will also host Minnesota State University on Nov. 9 at 2 PM, which will be UMD's Senior Day.