Volleyball - News

HOW SWEEP IT IS! NO. 16 BULLDOGS BLANK WOLVES; IMPROVE TO 18-6

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The No. 16-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball attack proved to be too much for Northern State University Saturday afternoon, as they went undefeated on their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference weekend road trip to the Dakota's, by overpowering the Wolves for a 3-0 (25-19, 25-9, 25-14) sweep at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

The Bulldogs (18-6 overall; 9-3 NSIC) used their high-powered offensive attack for a second-straight day to put Northern State away in just over an hour. UMD racked up more kills, assists, digs, service aces and blocks, while they recorded less errors and a higher hit percentage than their opponent for the second time in as many matches.

As a team, the Bulldogs pounded home a total of 51 kills, as they combined for an amazing .413 hit percentage and only committed eight errors on the afternoon.

The head of the UMD attack was controlled up front by middle blockers April Hansen and Lindsey Clairmont, who both killed a team-high 14 balls. The freshman Hansen also added a jaw-dropping .619 hit percentage, as well as a dig and a block assist, while the senior captain Clairmont posted a .545 hit percentage, a pair of digs and a block assist in the Bulldog win.

Senior setter Katie Gangelhoff also used her captain leadership to guide UMD, as she tallied 38 set assists--the second night in a row where she has out-set her opponents by herself--while also posting an eye-popping .750 hit percentage to go along with her 13 digs, three kills, service ace and block assist.

Fellow Bulldog captain, junior middle blocker Sarah Wyffels, had an impressive afternoon as well; by totaling nine digs, seven kills and two block assists for a .300 hit percentage.

Sophomore outside hitter Jamie Lakatos racked up eight kills, three digs and a ,250 hit percentage, while freshman outside hitter Hannah Johnson added to the fun, as she killed five balls for a .250 hit percentage, collected two service aces, added a dig and assisted on a block in the conference victory.

UMD now travels home, as they will be back on the Romano Gymnasium hardwood next Saturday afternoon (Oct. 25) at 4:00 p.m. to tango with Bemidji State University (6-18; 2-10), a club they have swept twice already this fall.

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