It was a clinical performance by Samantha Paulsen. The senior right side hitter exploded for 20 kills and hit an astounding .368 on the day but her outstanding effort wasn't enough as she posted a career high in kills and tied her career high in points Saturday afternoon at the Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

The University of Minnesota Duluth saw its three-match winning streak come to an abrupt halt as the No. 25 Bulldogs lost in four hard-fought, grueling sets (25-23, 20-25, 22-25, 19-25) to No. 22 Northern State University in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. The Wolves (15-5, 7-5 NSIC) managed to win the final three sets and capture the fourth straight win over UMD (12-9, 5-8 NSIC).

Paulsen, a 2023 second team All-NSIC selection, was consistent throughout the match leading both sides in kills. She downed at least three kills in each set. The Chisago Lakes, Minn., native walloped seven kills in the opening frame, three in the second and the fourth and six more in the third frame. Paulsen bested her previous outings when she amassed 19 kills including most recently against Northern Michigan University on Sept. 13. She also recorded three blocking assists, matching her collegiate point total -- 21.5 points -- from Aug. 26, 2022 against Drury University. 

Northern State provided enough blocking and critical serving to overcome Paulsen's historical day. The Wolves accounted for 17 total blocks and 15 serving aces, both season highs allowed by UMD. NSU held off a late charge by UMD in the closing fourth set despite hitting only 17 points (.186-.169) better than the Bulldogs. Hanna Thompson had 14 kills to lead the Wolves and NSU's Abby Meister corralled a match-high 30 digs as she accounted for nearly half of the Wolves' total digs (65). 

UMD scooped up 71 digs and had four players record double-digit digs in the contest. Graduate libero Kaylyn Madison paced the Bulldogs with 14 while redshirt sophomore Mary Satori compiled 12 digs, recording a new career mark. Graduate outside Cianna Selbitschka had 11 digs and senior setter Maddi Kealy added 10. 

Kealy was the lone Bulldog to record a double-double. The River Falls, Wis., native posted her fourth double-double of the season and her first since Bemidji State University on Sept. 26. Kealy notched a team-high 31 assists to go along with her 10 digs. The 31 dimes was also a collegiate best for the senior setter. 

The Bulldogs return to action next weekend for a pair of NSIC home matches against Minot State University and the University of Mary.