GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- In the final match of the San Jose State/Santa Clara Invitational, senior outside hitter Annika Smed (Albert Lea, Minn.) tallied her fourth double-double of the season to lead the Sioux past Santa Clara 3-1.
The Broncos (3-5) took the initial set 25-22, but the Sioux (7-3) quickly rebounded with a 25-20 win in set two to knot the match at 1-1.
UND took a 2-1 lead with a 25-23 victory in the third frame, and then sealed the deal with a 25-23 win in the fourth set.
"This was a great win for our program," head coach Ashley Hardee said. "It was without question the best defensive effort that we have had this entire season."
The Sioux finished with a season-high 21 blocks. Senior middle blocker Tia Russell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) tallied a career-high 16 blocks (all assists), nearly doubling her previous high of nine recorded three years ago against Norte Dame. Senior outside hitter Devin Trefz (Bagley, Minn.) added a career-high 11 stops (all assists) and three other players recorded four blocks apiece.
UND tripled the Broncos' block total, out-blocking the opponent 21-7.
Smed finished the match with a team-high 12 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Lisa Parlich (Delavan, Wis.) notched nine kills, and Trefz and Russell finished with eight kills apiece.
Redshirt freshman setter Nikki Husfeldt (Andover, Minn.) tallied a team-high 39 assists. Trefz and sophomore libero Erica Turner (Andover, Minn.) notched two aces apiece.
UND out-hit Santa Clara .185-.132, including a .265-.083 advantage in the second set.
"Our team really stepped up and rebounded from the loss yesterday morning against UC Santa Barbara with a great win against San Jose State last night," Hardee said. "Today we defeated a traditional California powerhouse."
- Go Sioux -
