#3 UMD Volleyball Sweeps #8 SMSU Mustangs in Home Opener

The #3 ranked UMD Bulldogs volleyball team opened it’s home season with a 3-0 sweep of Southwest Minnesota State University, in a tight match throughout, 25-22, 25-23, and 25-21. 

In the first set, UMD fell behind 9-5 before going on a couple mini-runs to eventually lead 13-12.  The lead went back and forth, with SMSU leading 20-18.  A UMD timeout helped tie the set at 20-20, then UMD scored 5 of the next 7 points after an SMSU timeout to take the first set.

A drama filled second set saw UMD down 16-10 and later 20-14, when the UMD defense erupted to help the ‘Dogs go on a 6 point run at 20-20, with Ashley Hinsch and Sydnie Mauch picking up a solo block each and assisting on TWO more blocks together in the huge comeback run.  The Mustangs led 21-20 and 22-21, before UMD took 4 of the last 5 points in the second set to finish it 25-23. 

The third set was just as back-and-forth as the first two, with SMSU going on 3 and 4 point runs, and UMD making 3 runs of 3 points and a big run of 5.  The UMD defense again came up big, with Katie Ledwell saving a ball that had nearly gone over the scorers table and gaining huge crowd reaction to help carried the ‘Dogs to the end.  UMD was credited with a 3-way block on the final point, with Hinsch, Mauch, and Mariah Scharf causing the SMSU hitting error. 

In all, UMD picked up 6 solo stuff blocks, and 11 block assists, with Mauch and Maddy Siroin each getting two solos, while Hinsch and Monican Turner each had one.  Mauch assisted on 4 other blocks, Hinsch 3, Ledwell, Scharf, and Allison Olley each had block assists.

Scharf led UMD in kills with 12, Siroin 9, Turner 8, and Ledwell 7 to lead UMD, and Hinsch had 35 set-assists on the night.  Julie Rainey scored 18 digs and Ledwell had 12, including the save over the scorers table. 

Bulldog volleyball players celebrate a second set point.

Monica Turner makes a kill for the Bulldogs

UMD prohibits the sale of photo prints of athletes, but you can view all UMD Volleyball photos in this album

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