Six University of Minnesota Duluth players registered a block as the No. 24 Bulldogs stifled the University Minnesota Crookston for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference straight-set victory (25-15, 25-19, 25-20). UMD amassed 10 blocks Saturday afternoon -- the most in a three-set contest for the Bulldogs this season -- as it racked up its fourth sweep of the year at the Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. 

UMC (4-12, 1-7 NSIC), which ended its seven-match losing streak on Thursday, only held the lead on three occasions. UMD (10-8, 3-7 NSIC) built at least seven-point cushions in all three sets and led wire-to-wire in the final set. The Bulldogs are now 32-0 lifetime against the Golden Eagles.

Tallying four blocks in the opening two sets, UMD's net presence grew in the third set. Six Golden Eagle attacks were denied in the third frame including three in the final four points to put an exclamation point on the match. The 10 blocks were one shy of matching its season total (Northern Michigan; Sept. 13, Winona State; Sept. 19) as Minnesota Crookston hit into 22 total attack errors and finished the contest with a .051 hitting percentage. Minnesota Crookston was the fourth team this season to be held to a hitting clip below .100.

The queen of the blocking forefront was freshman middle blocker Elyse Karrels, who made her collegiate debut this afternoon. The Port Washington, Wis., native frustrated the Golden Eagles as she turned back six attacks. Her debut was an impressive feat as she ended one block shy of equaling the Bulldog single match-high of the season. Karrels capped off the afternoon with four kills on 12 swings, six blocks and three digs.

Senior outside hitter Payton Addink, junior middle blocker Kylie Broten, sophomore right side hitter Madeline Guetzkow, and freshman Xada Johnson each compiled three blocks for the Bulldogs.

In addition to the block, UMD scooped up 68 digs, which equaled a season-high in a three-set match as well. A trio of Bulldogs -- Addink, graduate outside hitter Cianna Selbitschka and graduate libero Kaylyn Madison carved out double-digit digs. Madison continued her climb on the Bulldog dig charts. The Eagan, Minn., native is now 11 digs away from sole possession of seventh all-time as she will move past Julie Bubar (1990-93) with 1,443 digs.

On the offensive end, UMD featured a balanced attack with five players posting at least five kills. Senior right side hitter Samantha Paulsen notched 11 kills to lead all attackers as the Bulldogs ripped off 40 kills compared to the Golden Eagles' 29. Freshman setter Ava Jones passed out a team-high 18 assists and senior setter Maddi Kealy pasted 17 assists. 

The Bulldogs set their sights for a NSIC home match against Bemidji State University next Tuesday at Romano Gymnasium. First serve against the Beavers, who lost to UMD in five sets in the first bout between the two clubs, will begin at 6:00 p.m.