CHICAGO - With a three-set victory over Great West Conference opponent Chicago State (1-21, 0-6 GWC), North Dakota extended its winning streak to seven matches and tallied its third straight sweep. The Fighting Sioux (19-4, 5-1 GWC) opened the night with a 25-12 victory and then played to a 25-17 win to take the 2-0 lead. In what turned out to be the final set, freshman outside hitter Lexi Robinson (Ramsey, Minn.) landed five kills on six swings to lead the Sioux to a 25-21 victory.
"It was a great all-around team performance tonight," assistant coach Dan Brown said. "We played well as a team and never lost focus."
The Sioux landed seven service aces, including three from sophomore defensive specialist Erica Turner (Andover, Minn.). Redshirt freshman setter Nikki Husfeldt (Andover, Minn.) did her part once again as she set UND up for 35 kills and landed a pair herself.
Freshman outside hitter Felicia Ulrich (Woodbury, Minn.) led the team with eight kills on 12 swings, Robinson finished with six kills, and senior Annika Smed (Albert Lea, Minn.) walked away with five.
"The combination of Annika, Felicia and Lexi playing on the outside really powered us towards the win tonight," Brown said. "They combined for 19 kills and together finished with a .558 hitting percentage. We really couldn't have asked for more out of them."
Also getting in on the kill was senior middle blocker Tia Russell. The Brooklyn Park, Minn., native finished with seven kills on 10 swings. Defensively, she landed four blocks, including a pair of solo stops.
Senior libero Taylor Bohannon (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) recorded a team-high nine digs and added two assists and an ace.
"Once again, our seniors really stepped into their leadership roles," Brown said. "Annika showed great leadership in the opening set, Taylor was consistent for us on serve receive, and Tia was critical at the net on blocks.
"It was a great way to start the road trip. We just need to remain focused on the task at hand, and work on some of the small stuff before we get to New Jersey."
The Fighting Sioux will face the Highlanders of NJIT on Saturday starting at 2 p.m.
- Go Sioux -
