BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The eighth-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team did not drop a set against either Malone University (Ohio) or Wayne State University (Mich.) on Saturday to wrap up the Ferris State University Invitational with a perfect 4-0 mark.
 
Match 1: #8 UMD 3, Malone 0
The Bulldogs registered their first sweep of the season, knocking off winless Malone (0-3) to begin action on Saturday.
 
UMD jumped out to an early lead in the opening set after three consecutive kills by Grace Daak. A Madison Gordon service ace made it 17-8 later in the set. Payton Addink registered three straight kills and a Cianna Selbitschka kill gave Minnesota Duluth the first set 25-18.
 
The Bulldogs took control of the second set after going on a 6-1 run during the midway portion. Kylie Broten had four kills in the final eight points of the set as UMD rolled to a 25-14 set two win.
 
Minnesota Duluth went up 9-3 to start the third set with three kills from Samantha Paulsen during that stretch. The Bulldogs never trailed in the set as a Paige Decker kill ended the match in three with a 25-13 set win.
 
Addink led UMD with nine kills, followed by Selbitschka with eight kills. Selbitschka also recorded 17 digs. Gordon finished with 26 assists and four service aces. Kaylyn Madison had a team-high 18 digs.
 
Match 2: #8 UMD 3, Wayne State (Mich.) 0
Minnesota Duluth kept it rolling in its final match of the tournament, sweeping Wayne State to leave Michigan with a 4-0 record.
 
With the first set tied at 14-14, the Bulldogs got a pair of Hope Schjenken kills as part of four straight points to take an 18-14 lead. The Warriors (2-2) got back within two at 20-18, but UMD was able to hold off Wayne State and take the opening set 25-20. UMD had a match-best .379 hitting percentage in that first set.
 
Like the opening set, the second set was tied at 14-14, until UMD went on a 7-1 run with a pair of kills from Paulsen during that span, as well as, an Emma Kujawa ace. The Bulldogs finished second set scoring four straight points to go up two sets 25-16.
 
Minnesota Duluth kept it going in the third set, recording the first three points. UMD never trailed in the third set to complete the sweep by a final of 25-15.
 
Paulsen led the Bulldogs with 12 kills, followed by Selbitschka with 10 kills. Gordon had 25 assists and Madison led the team with 13 digs. Schjenken had five blocks for UMD.
 
Bytes from Coach Boos
On the Malone Match:
"Like on Friday, we didn't get into a rhythm early, but did enough good things to stay ahead," said head coach Jim Boos. "We were able to get everyone some game action and everybody that we put in did a really nice job. It shows the depth and talent that we have."
 
On the Wayne State Match:
"Wayne State was a physical team and similar to our match with Ferris (State) we knew we had to take some big punches from them. We had to stay the course and do what we do and that was mentality we took pulling out that first set and carried that momentum into the following sets. We played with a lot of confidence and I was happy with what we did."
 
Looking Ahead to Next Weekend:
"Super-excited for next weekend, it's been a while since we hosted a tournament. It is a great chance to showcase Romano (Gym) and Duluth to a lot of different people from different areas. An opportunity to open in front of the home crowd and provide fans 12 great Division II volleyball matches. I think it is a great sporting event for the area and I hope we get a bunch of people in the gym to support us."
 
Ferris State Invite All-Tournament
As the only school to go 4-0 at the tournament, the Bulldogs had three members named to the 12-member All-Tournament Team. Cianna Selbitschka, Samantha Paulsen and Kaylyn Madison were named to the All-Tournament Team. Selbitschka averaged 3.64 kills per set in the four matches, recording 58 total points and two double-doubles. Paulsen was second on the team with 44 points in the four matches, averaging three kills per set. Madison was steady defensively, averaging 5.64 digs per set.
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs (4-0) will be at home as they host the 6-team, 12-match Up North Preseason Tournament at Romano Gym beginning on Thursday. UMD will be in action on Thursday when they face Michigan Tech University at 7:30 p.m.