No. 6-ranked Minnesota Duluth hit a sizzling .446 in the final two sets to take care of business at home against No. 18 Wayne State on Friday, defeating the Wildcats 25-9, 18-25, 25-22, 25-10.
The first set was all Duluth, as the host Bulldogs limited WSC to just two kills while serving up six aces. But Wayne State came back in the second set, using 11 kills and a .290 attack percentage with two errors to knot up the match. Katie Stephens led a balanced Wildcat effort at the net with three kills and four digs while Bree Ackermann and Stephens each recorded service aces.
The third set was key, as it was tight throughout with 12 ties and four lead chances. Wayne State led 20-19, but could not overcome three straight Bulldog kills as the Bulldogs took the third set, then used that momentum to hit .615 with 17 kills and one error in 26 attempts to finish off the Wildcats in four.
Erin Gross led the Wildcats at the net with nine kills followed by Stephens with six. Haley Kauth and Alyssa Ballenger each accounted for 10 digs with setter Megan Gebhardt had 22 assists.
Wayne State (7-5, 2-2 NSIC ) will be in action again Saturday, visiting St. Cloud State in a 1 p.m. matchup.
