UMD Sweeps Augustana

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

So far in 2014, it hasn’t mattered where opponents have stood in the rankings – when the University of Minnesota Duluth beats you, the Bulldogs make quick work. No. 2 UMD continued the trend on Friday night with a three-set sweep of No. 21 Augustana (S.D.) College in a Northern Sun Intercollege Conference showdown in Sioux Falls.

UMD (12-1, 5-0 NSIC) earned their 12th 3-0 victory of the season, knocking off its Augustana (10-3, 3-2 NSIC) by scores of 25-22, 25-22, 25-21. Though the final score was lopsided, Augustana gave the Bulldogs one of their toughest fights in the young season.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Junior setter Ashley Hinsch collected a double-double and distributed the ball to seven different attacks on the night. Hinsch had 35 assists and 11 digs. The Bulldogs outsides led the way with junior outside hitter Mariah Scharf (11) and senior rightside hitter Maddy Siroin (10) leading the attack. UMD did not have its best offensive night, hitting just .127 on the night but was able to hold Augie to a .103 attack percentage, including quieting top attacker Courtney Ysker, forcing eight errors by the senior outside hitter despite her team-high nine kills.
• Senior libero Julie Rainey had 15 digs to lead the Bulldog defense. UMD had six team blocks, with Siroin helping on four of the them. Middle blockers Monica Turner (Jr.) and Sydnie Mauch (So.) also had multiple blocks on the night.

The Vikings proved unrelenting in the first game as UMD opened a pair of multi-point leads before Augie came back to tie. The score was knotted as late as 17-17, but UMD scored the next five points and traded the final seven points to edge Augustana 25-22. The second followed a similar formula with the Bulldogs taking early leads, but in the second set, Augie not only tied it, but took a lead of 16-13 and later 20-19, before UMD scored six of eight points to close out the second set. The third set finally saw the Bulldogs come alive, dominating the score without a single tie as they cruisered to a 25-21 victory. Though the Bulldogs hit just .163 as a team in the third set, nine Viking attack errors helped UMD close out a three-set victory.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs continue on the road trip tomorrow afternoon when they head to Wayne, Nebraska for a showdown with No. 17 Wayne State College. Opening serve is set for 4:00 p.m.