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RALLY TIME: BULLDOGS TIP PEACOCKS 3-2 IN COME-FROM-BEHIND FASHION

Friday, November 13, 2009

Bulldog junior middle blocker Alyssa Nelson's 13 kills helped pace UMD to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Upper Iowa Friday night at home.

The University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team got the victory - but just barely.

After a slow start falling in the first two games, UMD used their fast-paced offensive attack to rally back and defeat Upper Iowa University 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-12, 15-6) in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference thriller before 345 fans at Romano Gymnasium Friday night in Duluth.

"Tonight was scary," said Bulldog junior right side hitter Katie Kuffel after the match on ‘Friday the 13th'. "We didn't play our style of volleyball during the first two games. But we never got down. We just kept fighting and pulled out a victory when we needed it most tonight."

She couldn't have said it any better.

After leading just a total of four points in the first two games, the No. 17 nationally-ranked Bulldogs (21-8 overall; 14-5 NSIC) took control quickly, as they buried the Peacocks (16-17; 7-12) over the next three games en route to the pivotal come-from-behind conference victory.

The win on their home floor moved UMD's record to 8-1 at Romano Gymnasum this fall, while it ultimately kept the fourth-ranked NSIC Bulldogs in postseason contention with the playoffs just around the corner.

"Every win is important this time of year," said Kuffel. "We all knew our season was on the line tonight. We came out a little slow, but we eventually got in a groove and made them play ‘our' style of volleyball."

"Tonight was a dog fight," added Kuffel. "We just stayed positive and once we got comfortable, we took over."

The Bulldogs' emotional rally was paced by Kuffel, as she racked up a match-high 16 kills and .333 hit percentage throughout the nearly two-hour affair. Anna Zyvoloski, Alyssa Nelson and April Hansen also tallied 14, 13 and 11 kills, respectively.

Sophomore setter Eleena Iisakka ran the UMD offense, as the all-conference pick dished out a match-leading 47 set assists on the evening, while lone senior Rachel Jacobson led the Bulldogs in the defensive department with a match-best 16 digs.

Though they started at a snail's pace, UMD eventually compiled more kills, assists, digs and blocks than UIU, while their .210 team hit percentage was well higher than the Peacocks' .148 mark on the night.

"We're excited this time of year," said Kuffel, whose Bulldogs currently sit sixth in the latest NCAA II Central Regional rankings. "We just have to keep are heads up and know that we can succeed. Things are starting to get fun around here."

UMD will next clash with conference foe Winona State University (11-19; 9-10) on Saturday, Nov. 14 from Romano Gymnasium to closeout their 2009 regular season. The first serve is set for 4 p.m.

The Bulldogs and Warriors tangoed in a five-game nail-biter earlier this fall in Winona, Minn. which saw UMD prevail 3-2, but with Saturday's match being on their home floor, the Bulldogs are hoping things might go a little smoother this time around.

A win Saturday will most-likely earn UMD a slot in next weekend's eight-team Central Regional tournament, a spot where head coach Jim Boos and his Bulldogs have advanced to every year since 2002.

"We're pumped," said Kuffel about Saturday's upcoming clash. "It was a battle last time we played them down there. We simply just have to come to play and take things one point at a time. There's no quit in us this time of year."

- By: Tyler Korby -

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