In a see-saw, topsy-turvy, back-and-forth match, the No. 6 University of Minnesota Duluth came out on top to sink Augustana University in five sets (29-27, 17-25, 25-21, 17-25, 15-11) Saturday afternoon at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

In a total team effort, the Bulldogs racked up a trio of attackers with at least 10 kills and four players added at least double-digit digs en route to the second Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win.

Senior right side hitter Samantha Paulsen came on strong when her team needed her late as she closed out the match with three consecutive kills, capping off a 13-kill performance to lead UMD. 

Graduate outside hitter Cianna Selbitschka compiled her team-leading eighth double-double. The North Branch, Minn., native had 12 kills on the day but her defensive prowess played an important role, tallying a match-high 22 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Xada Johnson made her collegiate debut for the Bulldogs. The Clear Lake, Iowa native was inserted into the final three sets once the match was hanging in the balance. Johnson notched three kills, a pair of blocks and a dig in her first collegiate action.

Senior setter Maddi Kealy posted 29 assists, one shy of tying her career high. Freshman setter Ava Jones also posted 23 assists of her own and tacked on three aces. 

Augustana (9-9, 5-4 NSIC) fumbled a crucial moment in set one. The Bulldogs fought off five set points including four straight in a rallying effort. UMD clawed back from 24-20 and also fended off set point five at 25-24. After Selbitschka and sophomore middle blocker Kylie Broten combined for a block, the defense held strong on the Bulldogs' third set-point possibility to seal the first.

The Vikings knotted the match after a convincing second set but UMD turned the tide in third as it hit .255 and corralled 17 kills. The match would turn to the decisive fifth set. 

Battle tested, the Bulldogs used their fifth five-set match of the season to their advantage.

Eleven of the 15 points came off kills, and UMD hit a set-high .381 in the most crucial set. The Bulldogs raced out to a 4-1 lead and never trailed in the fifth. The Vikings came close but Paulsen pushed the Bulldogs past the finish line down the home stretch to put an end to the five-match losing skid.

UMD (9-7, 2-6 NSIC) returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 17 for a home match against fifth-ranked St. Cloud State University. The opening serve will start at 6:00 p.m. at Romano Gymnasium.