GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Officially kicking off the 2018 season, the University of North Dakota volleyball team rang in the new year with its annual Green and White scrimmage on Tuesday night from the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. 
 
"It's always fun to play in front of our fans," said UND head coach Mark Pryor "We got out of it what we wanted.  We were able to look at a couple lineup variations and see where we might be able to improve.  What we have realized is that we don't have all the answers yet, but it's still way early, and that's totally okay."
 
The intersquad game featured the team split into two groups playing three sets as the coaching staff got an extended look at the players battling for positions heading into the first week of action. 
 
"Slowly but surely the team is figuring out our formula for success," said Pryor. "Playing volleyball the UND way is definitely different, and it takes time to embrace that.  Tonight was a good step.  This weekend may be the toughest weekend we have scheduled in my five seasons here, but I know the team looking forward to embracing the challenge, and use this weekend as a measuring stick to see where we can grow."
 
The Green squad, which changed team members several times throughout the three-set practice, came away victorious with 25-14, 25-19, and 25-15 scores. The Green hit .261 in the win before a large and boisterous crowd anxious to get its first looks at the back-to-back Big Sky Conference Tournament champions. 
 
Newcomer Kayla Williams flashed moments of brilliance throughout the night for UND, recording a team-high 14 kills on 33 swings for an impressive .273 hitting percentage. The Staten Island, N.Y., native also recorded 11 digs, two blocks, and a pair of service aces in the victory for the Green squad. 
 
Roosa Rautio was also strong for the Green team, dishing out a game-high 26 helpers, collecting six digs, and adding a kill. 
 
Lydia Rutten and Kelly Wahl led the way for the White squad, with Rutten recording a team-high six kills and Wahl skying for five rejections. 
 
UND recorded a combined 13 blocks on the evening and also collected 11 service aces, led by five from Tamika Brekke. 
 
North Dakota begins the regular season on Friday with a pair of matches in the Red Raider Classic in Lubbock, Texas. The Fighting Hawks will battle Rice at 10 a.m. and the host Red Raiders at 7 p.m.