FARGO, N.D. – Baily Randall tallied a career-high 16 kills to help the North Dakota State volleyball team down Montana for its third straight win, 3-1, at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
Randall recorded a match-high 16 kills on 25 attempts for a .440 hitting percentage to go along with three digs and two blocks. Ali Hinze narrowly missed a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs, while Lauren Jansen also reached double digits with 12 kills. Maddy Dombeck notched her first career double-double with 23 assists and 12 digs, while Logan O’Brien contributed a match-best 15 digs.
NDSU (3-4) used a 5-0 run in the opening frame to build an 18-13 lead following a service ace from Jansen. After both teams exchanged points, the Bison assembled another 5-0 run to steal the momentum, 24-15, following as service ace from Dombeck. NDSU went on to win the set, 25-16.
Montana (3-5) fought back in the second frame grabbing a 17-15 edge at the midway point after a kill from Maddie Kremer. The Grizzlies then closed the set on an 8-2 run to win the frame, 25-18, and tie the match, 1-1.
Montana carried the energy into the third set stealing a 15-12 lead with a kill from Sierra Dennison. NDSU, who posted a .323 hitting percentage in the set, answered with six straight points to regain the lead, 18-15, following a service ace from Jansen. The Bison went on to hold off the Grizzlies the rest of the way to win the set, 27-25.
NDSU continued its offensive rhythm into the fourth frame with a match-best .488 hitting percentage. The Bison put together six straight points finished off by a kill from Jansen to open up a 12-7 lead. NDSU then increased its edge to 22-14 with a pair of kills from Randall and Jansen. The Bison went on to win the set, 25-15, and the match, 3-1.
NDSU will be back in action at Arizona on Thursday night. First serve is set for 8:00 p.m. CT