Bulldogs Top Moorhead

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

The University of Minnesota swept the MSU Moorhead Dragons on Saturday afternoon (25-22, 25-21, 25-18), improving to 14-2 overall (7-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) on the season, the Dragons carry a 7-9 overall (2-6 in the NSIC) record on the year.

The Bulldogs out-paced the Dragons throughout the match, swinging at a .288 clip for the day, while MSUM would hit at a .172 clip throughout. Each team would amass seven team blocks.

The first set saw the teams trade points to start. The score was 8-8 before the Bulldogs would gain the first two-point lead in the set. UMD would not give up the lead the rest of the set, but MSUM did put up a hard fight. The Dragons would never go down more than three points until the Bulldogs scored their 22^nd point and went up 22-18. The Dragons were able to strike three four more points before UMD finished out the set 25-22.

The second set saw the Bulldogs hop out to an early 7-3 lead. MSUM was not to come closer than four points in the entire set before UMD was able to close out the set. The Bulldogs would keep the pressure on and sustain the lead throughout the set, finishing it 25-21.

In the third and final set, the two teams started by trading points and bringing the score to 3-3. Then UMD was able to hop out to a five-point lead on a 5-0 rally. The Bulldogs held steady and completed the sweep in the final set, finishing out the third frame 25-18.

Redshirt freshman setter Madison Gordon would serve up one ace and dig nine. Sophomore outside hitter Meredith Sutton would floor 10 kills and collect three blocks on the afternoon. Sophomore middle blocker Summer Ballard would hammer nine kills on the day, collecting a block as well. Junior outside hitter Kate Berg would collect seven kills on the day, swinging at a .227 on the day and digging 15 in the match. Junior middle blocker Lexy Langenfeld would hit two kills, gaining a block as well. Senior defensive specialist Keena Seiffert would dig 20 balls on the afternoon, getting an assist along the way. Senior Setter Emily Balts dished 48 assists on the day, gaining three kills along with a block. Senior right side hitter Hanna Meyer hammered seven home, swinging at a .294 for the afternoon.  Senior middle blocker Abby Thor hammered a match high 13 kills, gaining four blocks and swinging at a .571 clip on the afternoon.

UMD starts a three-game swing on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Bemidji State. The Bulldogs then head to Wayne, Neb. To take on No. 15 Wayne State on Oct. 18, the finish the road trip at Sioux Falls, SD to take on Augustana on Oct. 19.