Duluth, Minn. – The No. 16 Bulldogs opened up NSIC play by hosting the No. 5 Wayne State Wildcats. The Bulldogs and Wildcats would battle in a tough match that Wayne State would pull away with 3-1 (26-28, 19-25, 25-19, 25-17).
The first set would see both teams battle it out throughout the entire set. Throughout the set, neither team would be able to take a lead of more than 4 points. Teams would swap points throughout the first set. After trading points much of the set, the Bulldogs were able to win 3 straight points to take a 16-12 advantage. The Bulldogs would eventually build a 22-19 lead. The Wildcats would battle back however, and would battle back to 24-24. Teams would go on to trade points before the Bulldogs took a 26-25 lead. The Bulldogs would not be able to hold onto the lead however and would drop the first set 26-28.
In the second set, the teams would start the set by trading points to a 4-4 tie. The Wildcats would turn it up and would take an 10-15 advantage. The Wildcats would continue to build a solid lead as they took a 22-13 lead. The Bulldogs would not just roll over, they would win 6 of 7 points to make it a 19-23 deficit. It would prove to be too little too late as the Wildcats would win set two 19-25.
Teams would once again trade points to start the set. The Wildcats would go on to take an early 8-12 advantage. The Bulldogs however would go on a impressive 9-2 run to take a 17-14 lead. The Wildcats would battle back however to tie it up 19-19. The Bulldogs would shut the door on the Wildcats as they would go on to win 6 straight points to win the set 25-19.
In the fourth set, the Wildcats would start strong, jumping out to a 5-10 lead. The Bulldogs would attempt to grind themselves back into the match, but the early Wildcats lead would prove to be too much as the Wildcats win the third set 17-25.
The Bulldogs were led by Sophomore
Cianna Selbitschka who had 16 kills, and by
Summer Ballard who added 15 kills. Redshirt Junior
Madison Gordon added 48 assists for the Bulldogs. Senior
Sydney Lanoue would add 28 digs as
Cianna Selbitschka would add 19 for a double-double on the night.
The Wildcats were led by Taya Beller, Kelsie Cada, and Jazlin DeHaan who all had 14 kills. Rachel Walker added 48 assists for the Wildcats.
WHOS NEXT:
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow as they continue NSIC play at home against Augustana. The match will start at 2:00 PM.
