GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Led by 13 kills from sophomore middle blocker Ronni Munkeby, the University of North Dakota tallied its fifth straight sweep over Chicago State. With their three-set victory, the Sioux (14-4, 2-1 GWC) extended their run over the Cougars (1-19, 0-4 GWC) to 25 consecutive set wins.
"We knew that we were capable of winning the match, I just would have preferred that it had happened a little quicker," head coach Ashley Hardee said.
UND won the opening set 26-24, but it wasn't without a fight. In a set that reached 16 ties, the Sioux had to fight their way to victory as the Cougars kept it a tight contest.
"It was important for us to get that win in the first set," Hardee said. "You don't ever want to allow someone to come in there and gain any confidence, we always want to keep them uncomfortable."
In the second set, Chicago State took an early 11-5 lead. UND tried to chip away at the margin, but it wasn't until a 6-1 Sioux run tied the set at 19-19 that the home team really seemed to be in control. UND finished the frame on a 6-1 clip to win the set 25-20, and take a 2-0 lead over the Cougars.
UND completed the sweep with a 25-11 win in the third set.
Munkeby, a native of Lisbon, N.D., led the way offensively with 13 kills on 25 swings for a .320 hitting percentage, senior outside hitter Devin Trefz (Bagley, Minn.) registered nine kills, and sophomore middle blocker Lisa Parlich (Delavan, Wis.) added another eight.
Setters Nikki Husfeldt (RFr., Andover, Minn.) and Ellen Krueger (So., Lakeville, Minn.) combined for 44 assists.
Defensively, senior libero Taylor Bohannon (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) finished with 17 digs and senior middle blocker Tia Russell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) landed a trio of block assists.
Several of the more inexperienced players got a taste of the action as Corey Lof (Sr., Detroit Lakes, Minn.), Dani McNallan (Fr., Andover, Minn.), Emily Asche (Fr., Grand Forks, N.D.) and Kim Kuechle (RFr., LeSueur, Minn.) landed a few touches.
"We've been changing things up a bit at practice this last week," said Hardee. "We're moving things around a bit just to see what our best possible lineup could be. It was great to get some of those girls in for experience. We were able to take Annika [Smed] and Devin out and rest them a little bit in preparation for the conference run we have coming up."
The Fighting Sioux will close out their three-match homestand on Monday evening when they host Minot State. The Sioux and the Beavers will get things started at 7 p.m. at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
- Go Sioux -
