The University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team opened the conference tournament with a 3-0 sweep over the University of Sioux Falls to advance to the next round of the NSIC Tournament.
The Bulldogs would start the match on the defensive as Sioux falls notched the first two points of the game. However, the Bulldogs would go on a 7-2 run that saw kills from four different Bulldogs. A pair of Cougar kills and a hitting error from the Bulldogs would slow their run enough for the cougars to bring the score within three, but sophomore right side Samantha Paulson would put one away for a Bulldog side-out. The Bulldogs would go unanswered for a 3-0 run until a service error brought the score to 12-6. The Bulldogs continued to pressure Sioux Falls offensively, causing nine Cougar attacking errors within the first set. UMD would come away with the set to win 25-15.
The second set would start in the favor of the Bulldogs thanks to a pair of kills from junior outside
Cianna Selbitschka. The Bulldogs would maintain the lead throughout the second set, thanks to the strength of UMD's defensive play.
Madison Gordon and Selbitschka posted six and five digs in the second set, adding to the teams 17 digs of the set. The Bulldogs also posted a total of six blocks in the second half, leading to Sioux falls' offensive struggles.The Cougars would only earn five kills on a -.061 attack percentage and fell 25-14.
UMD showed their strength behind the service line as they notched three service aces in the second set, two coming from freshman
Mary Satori. The Bulldogs would finish the night with four aces and consistently keep the Cougar offense from being in system.
The Bulldogs came out firing in the third set going on a 3-0 run, thanks to a pair of kills from
Sydney Lanoue and Selbitschlka. Both outside hitters would go on to earn five and four kills for the third set, good for nine and ten total. Sioux falls would answer with kills of their own, earning 11 kills on a .267 attack percentage. Despite their efforts Sioux falls would fall to the Bulldogs 25-21.
The Bulldogs advance to play Concordia St. Paul in the semi-final round of the NSIC tournament. The match is set to start at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11 in St. Paul.
