Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. – The fourth-ranked University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs put an end to Northern State University's longest win streak in more than a decade, but not without a fight.  UMD, who had won the last two meetings between the two squads in straight sets, needed four sets on Tuesday to claim the win.  Game scores were 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-17.

The loss drops the Wolves to 7-2 on the season and 0-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.  Both season losses have come to teams ranked in the top 12 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national poll.  With the win, the Bulldogs kept their season record unblemished at 9-0 and 1-0 in the loop.

The Bulldogs used eight team blocks and a solid all-around defensive effort to keep the Wolves off balance throughout the night.  UMD held the Wolves to a below .200 hitting percentage in all but the third set.

Offensively, April Hansen notched a game-best 17 kills on 29 attempts to lead three Bulldogs in double figures.  Katie Kuffel and Kate Lange added 14 and 13 kills, respectively, while setter Eleena Iisakka dished out 56 assists to go along with 13 digs.

The Wolves got a balanced attack effort from the front line, led by seniors Whitney Morsching and Kayla Ysteboe, along with junior newcomer Konefesi Vaisigano, all of whom finished with eight kills.  Morsching was also in on four blocks, while junior Amber Bloom had six kills, 20 assists and eight digs.

The Wolves face another stiff challenge this weekend as they return to Wachs Arena to open their home slate against sixth ranked Concordia University-St. Paul on Friday and St. Cloud State University on Saturday.  CSP fell from the top spot in the AVCA poll for the first time in 26 weeks of rankings.  The Golden Bears also dropped two straight matches for the first time since 2002.