GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? With the help of a team-high 14 kills by junior Amanda Polzin, the University of North Dakota volleyball team handed Dickinson State its sixth loss in a row and extended the UND win-streak to four matches. The Fighting Sioux topped the Blue Hawks in three-straight sets ? 25-20, 25-16, and 25-14.
The 3-0 sweep is the 16th for the Sioux this season and their third consecutive. Two days ago, North Dakota set a new program precedent it captured its 15th sweep of the 2008 season with a three and out win over the visiting Valley City State.
The Sioux are well on their way to another single-season record. With two more notches in the win column, the 2008 squad will hold the record for the most wins tallied in a season. The current record of 24 is held by both the 1982 and 2002 teams.
The Thursday night win moved UND to a 23-4 record with an 8-2 mark over the past 10 matches. The Blue Hawks fell to 4-16 overall.
Polzin, a native of Hutchinson, Minn., brought down a total of 14 kills and tallied a match-high .478 hitting percentage. With the addition of two block assists, she ended the evening with a team-high 13 points. Junior Britta Hanson (Thompson, N.D.) added to the attack with 12 kills (.417). Freshman Annika Smed (Albert Lea, Minn.) and redshirt freshman Devin Trefz (Bagley, Minn.) combined for another 13 kills. The attackers were helped by junior Megan Langseth's (Alexandria, Minn.) 29 assists. Smed and freshman Jessika Weber (Idaho Falls, Idaho) had two aces apiece.
The Sioux defensive was led by a trio of diggers. Junior Lindsay Vortherms (Windom, Minn.) led with 17 while Smed tallied 12 digs and Langseth another 11.
At the net, freshman Jacey Tagavilla (Honolulu, Hawaii) led with three blocks assists with Hanson and Polzin tacking on another two apiece. Smed was the only player from both sides to land a block solo; she finished with two total blocks.
“It too a bit of time for the players to warm-up, but once they got going we were able to make some good decisions,” said head coach Kari Peterson. “Dickinson was a tough serving team and their setter did a fantastic job of mixing things up at the net.”
“We are looking forward to the week off and are going to use it to our advantage. We have South Dakota next and it's at their place so we need to get prepared.”
Jennifer Hartman tallied eight kills and Machel Livingston recorded another six to lead the Blue Hawks. A total of nine players helped the team to a total of 37. Perolla Costa tabbed 30 assists and Breana Mason had two aces.
The Sioux are off until Nov. 1 when they head to Vermillion, S.D. to take on the Coyotes of South Dakota. Match-time is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the DakotaDome.
One week later, North Dakota returns home to face the Coyotes for the third time this season. The Saturday, Nov. 8 match has been dubbed FAN APPRECIATION DAY where Fighting Sioux sports fans can enjoy drinks and $1 dogs. After the match, fans can receive autographs from their favorite Sioux volleyball players.
? Go Sioux ?
MATCH NOTES: Britta Hanson is five total blocks and one block assist away from cracking UND's all-time career lists in both categories...
