SEATTLE, WASH. - In its first match of the Seattle University Dig for a Cure Classic, North Dakota defeated Bryant, 3-0. The Fighting Sioux took the first set, 25-19 before outlasting the Bulldogs for a 26-24 victory in the second set. They then capped off the afternoon with a 25-20 win the third and final set.
For the 13th time this season, the Sioux defeated an opponent in three sets. They are now tied with the 2002 squad for the second-most three-set sweeps in a season and are one away from tying the program's record of 14 sweeps. In 1990, the Fighting Sioux, under the direction of Lisa Kissee (1986-92), tallied a record-high 14 three-set sweeps. The match also marked the fifth consecutive three-set victory for the Sioux.
UND improved to a record of 19-2. Bryant dropped to 13-10.
Junior Amanda Polzin (Hutchinson, Minn.) topped the Sioux with 11 kills and a team-high .421 attack percentage. She also added seven black assists for 14.5 points. Redshirt freshman Devin Trefz (OH, Baglkey, Minn.) hit 10-for-24 with a .250 percentage.
Defensively, junior Britta Hanson (Thompson, N.D.) posted a match-high nine block assists. She also added seven kills. Junior Lindsay Vortherms (Windom, Minn.) logged 13 of UND's total 46 digs and junior Megan Langseth (Alexandria, Minn.) led both sides with 35 assists.
“After coming out strong in the first set, we took control and held on through the entire match,” said head coach Kari Peterson. “Our middle players were connecting very well behind the center and that allowed us to make some great plays. We also saw some aggressive serving from our players.”
“We have two more matches in front of us today. They are both going to be tough matches, but our team is ready.”
North Dakota will return to action at the Connolly Center this evening when they take on South Dakota. This is the first time the Sioux and the Coyotes have met on the court since their time in the North Central Conference. The match between UND and USD is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. They will follow with a 9:30 p.m. match with host Seattle to close out play in Washington.
? Go Sioux ?
GAME NOTES: UND's 14.5 blocks set a new season-high... The Fighting Sioux will return home on Tuesday, October 14 for a 7 p.m. rematch with Jamestown College...
