TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--A near record-setting performance by middle hitter Chrissy Knuth helped North Dakota State win its second straight volleyball match to start the 2009 season.

Knuth, the reigning Summit League Player of the Year, had 17 kills with no errors in 23 attacks to lead NDSU to a 25-9, 25-10, 26-24 victory over Florida A&M in the second match of the Florida State Invitational on Friday, Aug. 28.

Knuth's .739 hitting percentage was the second highest in school history and just .023 shy of the school record set by Chloe Quirk against Florida Tech in 2003.

Knuth has 26 kills and no errors through the first two matches, including a match-high nine kills in 18 attacks in NDSU's 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 win over Central Michigan in the opener.

North Dakota State used a balanced attack to turn back Central Michigan, last year's West Division runner-up in the Mid-American Conference.

Outside hitter Brooke VandenBergh and setter Jennifer Lopez had eight kills apiece, and outside hitter Lauren McLaughlin added seven kills and a team-high 12 digs.

Lopez added 17 assists and three service aces, and setter Mattie Johnson made 11 assists as the Bison outhit CMU by a .238 to .150 margin.

Lauren Krupsky and Danielle Gotham had eight kills apiece, and Alexis Lonneman made a match-high 15 digs for Central Michigan.

NDSU's six starters all hit .400 or better as the Bison swept eight-time NCAA tournament participant Florida A&M.  Knuth led the way with 17 kills, including 10 in the third set, and VandenBergh had 11 kills and 11 digs.

North Dakota State put up 10 team blocks and outhit the Rattlers .529 to .085.  Knuth had seven blocks, right-side hitter Nicole Sheridan had four blocks, and middle hitter Megan Lambertson had three.

Jovanna Blazeski led Florida A&M with nine kills and Susan Egoavil made 11 digs.

NDSU is scheduled to face tournament host Florida State at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29.