Wolves defeats SD Mines and Augustana in Friday action

Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State University volleyball team continued their winning ways on Friday, recording their first 2-match sweep of the season. The Wolves took down South Dakota Mines in straight sets and battled it out in a 5-set thriller with host Augustana.

THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Match 1: NSU 3, MINES 0
Final Score Match 2: NSU 3, AU 2
Records: NSU 3-0, MINES 0-2, AU 1-1
Attendance: N/A

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. SD MINES

• Northern had full control of the match in their morning victory, taking the contest with set scores of 25-11, 25-9, and 25-15
• The Wolves hit .516 in the win with single set percentages of .652 in the first, .514 in the second, and .429 in the third
• They led the contest with 51 kills, 46 assists, 59 digs, ten blocks, and two aces
• The Northern defense held SD Mines to a .078 attack percentage and just 28 kills in the match-up
• Abby Brooks led the team with 13 kills and a .722 attack percentage, which ranks in the top-10 all-time for single game attack percentage
• All five hitters recorded an attack percentage above .300 with Hanna Thompson second on the team hitting .667 with 12 kills
• Natalia Szybinska added nine kills, followed by Victoria Persha and Morissen Samuels with seven each
• Keri Walker dished out 42 assists, notched three kills of her own, and added 11 digs and three blocks on defense
• Brooks led the team at the net with five blocks, followed by Thompson and Szybinska with four apiece
• The back court was led by Abby Meister with 22 digs

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Abby Brooks : 13 kills, .722 attack%, 5 blocks, 2 digs
Keri Walker : 42 assists, 11 digs, 3 blocks, 3 kills
Abby Meister : 22 digs, 2 assists
Hanna Thompson : 12 kills, .667 attack%, 4 blocks, 4 digs

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. AUGUSTANA

• The Vikings jumped out to an early lead, taking the first set with a score of 25-21
• Northern rallied back with 25-23 and 25-22 victories, however Augustana forced the decisive set with a 25-16 victory in the fourth
• Ultimately, NSU sealed the match with ten kills and a 16-14 win in set five
• The Wolves led the match defensively with 76 digs and held the Vikings to a .205 hitting percentage; they added 59 kills, 59 assists, 12 blocks, and six aces
• Natalia Szybinska led three in double figures with 20 kills, followed by Hanna Thompson and Morissen Samuels with 14 and 13 respectively
• Keri Walker paced the offense with 52 assists and added nine digs and three blocks
• Three Wolves also recorded double digit digs, led by Abby Meister with 27
• Mia Hinsz and Reese Johnson each added a team second best 11 digs and recorded one ace
• Victoria Persha notched a team leading six blocks, while Sara Moberg tallied two aces and nine digs

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Natalia Szybinska : 20 kills, .228 attack%, 2 blocks
Hanna Thompson : 14 kills, .250 attack%, 3 blocks, 3 digs
Keri Walker : 52 assists, 9 digs, 3 blocks
Abby Meister : 27 digs, 3 assists, 1 ace

UP NEXT
The Wolves close out their weekend tomorrow morning against Alaska Anchorage. First serve is set for 9 a.m. from the Sanford Pentagon.

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