Volleyball spikes NDSU in Fargo

Brian Kimmes

Brian Kimmes

As the opening act of Midnight Minus Two Oct. 13, the volleyball team secured an easy victory against Utah Valley State.

The Jacks needed only three games to dispatch the Wolverines, who only managed to score more than 20 points in one of the games.

During the match, junior Samantha Pearson reached a milestone by recording her 1,000th career dig.

Emily Rooney and Kristina Martin led the Jackrabbit offense by tallying 12 and 11 kills, respectively.

Head Coach Andrew Palileo said the team felt pretty good coming home after defeating Texas Pan-American. He said having Rooney back in the starting lineup, and having Laura Slagter back as well, helped the Jacks believe they would field a good team. He said the Jacks have their top eight or nine players back.

The Jacks’ next match came against rival North Dakota State on Sunday. The Bison entered the match on a six-match winning streak, but the Jacks put an end to the Bison wins.

“We have confidence to play them,” Palileo said.

Unlike the easy victory against Utah Valley State, the Jacks were forced to work hard, as the match lasted all five games. The Jacks won the first game, 30-20, and then NDSU responded with their own 30-20 win in the second game.

NDSU gained control of the match with a 30-24 victory in the third game. The Jacks were not done, though. They won the final two games of the match to secure the victory.

The Jackrabbits used a balanced offensive attack, with five players in double-digit kills. Martin led the way with a double-double, 18 kills and 20 digs. Minette Ridenour also had a double-double, 12 kills and 13 digs. Rooney added 14 kills, Slagter had 13 kills and Amy Anderson rounded out the double-digit hitters with 10. The Jacks have a rematch with the Bison on Nov. 4 in Frost Arena.

The Jacks’ next match is at home, where they hold a 9-1 record, on Oct. 20. Texas Pan-American receives an invitation to the “world’s largest rabbit den.” SDSU faced Texas Pan-Am in two matches earlier this year and swept both matches.

Then, on Saturday, Oct. 21, the annual alumni match takes place. Palileo said before the match, the team has a luncheon for the alumni who return.

“It’s a way for alumni to come back and for us to show our appreciation,” he said.

Although the match does not count in the standings, the volleyball team and alumni want to win the match.

“They want to beat us, and I want to make sure we don’t lose to them,” said Palileo.

#1.884084:2303306451.jpg:sdsuvsuvs01.jpg:SDSU’s Kristina Martin hits the ball over the net just inside of the out-of-boundary pole during Friday evening’s match in Frost Arena.: