Volleyball - News

NO. 14 UMD THROTTLES WARRIORS; REMAIN PERFECT IN NSIC

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Winning three straight conference matches in five days can be a tough task for most volleyball teams, but No. 14-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth did it without breaking a sweat, as they finished their recent home stand with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-21) drubbing over Winona State University Saturday afternoon in front of 467 fans at Romano Gymnasium.

With the victory, the Bulldogs (14-3 overall; 5-0 NSIC) kept their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record unblemished, as they won their fifth straight conference match within just eight days.

Junior middle blocker Sarah Wyffels continued to add to her eye-popping season, in which she leads UMD in both kills and hit percentage, by tallying game-highs in both categories Saturday afternoon. The Marshall, Minn. native pounded home 12 kills in the victory, while she collected a .550 hit percentage and added a pair of block assists.

Once again, senior setter Katie Gangelhoff out-set the opposing team by herself, as she racked up a game-high 37 set assists, compared to the Warriors' (5-9; 3-2) 28, while also posting a .375 hit percentage and 11 digs.

In front of a handful of fans from her hometown of Coleraine, Minn., freshman outside hitter Hannah Johnson didn't disappoint, as she killed ten balls, hit .318 and added six digs for the Bulldogs.

As a team, UMD totaled 44 kills in the contest, 13 more than Winona State, while they racked up a .229 hit percentage, compared to the visiting Warriors' .059 on the evening.

The Bulldogs will hit the road again next weekend, as they are set to travel down south to take on a pair of NSIC schools. Friday evening (Oct. 3), UMD will clash with Wayne State (Neb.), followed by a match the following afternoon against No. 18 Augustana (S.D.).

Return to all news.