FARGO, N.D.--Denver jumped out to an early lead in the fifth set to defeat North Dakota State 3-2 (23-25, 25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 15-9) in the final regular season Summit League volleyball match for both teams during Senior Day before 669 spectators on Sunday, Nov. 13, in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. It was the third time in four meetings the teams have went five sets with the Pioneers winning twice.

NDSU finishes the regular season with an 11-5 record in the Summit League and 13-17 overall. The Bison entered Sunday with a six-match winning streak and had won seven of the last eight. Pairings for the Summit League tournament will be released later Sunday afternoon.

Denver (13-3 SL, 21-7) ties South Dakota for the league regular season championship and will host the Summit League Tournament on Nov. 18-20.

The Pioneers jumped out to leads of 9-4 and 11-5 to take command of the fifth set behind Nola Basey and Kayla Principato, who combined for six of the team's eight kills. Principato connected for a match-high 21 kills, hit .353 and had three blocks to lead a group of five players with double-figure kills. Basey finished with 10 kills and 18 digs. Denver outhit NDSU .306 to .247 and held an 8-6 edge in team blocks.

North Dakota State won the first set working through nine ties and five lead changes. Kills from Emily Minnick and Brianna Rasmusson put the Bison ahead 24-22, while Alex Erickson close out the set with a solo block.

Denver led the second set from the start and pulled away in a back-and-forth third set that featured nine ties and four lead changes. Ruth Okoye, Moni Corrujedo, Emma Willis, Principato and Basey provided setter Monique Domme with plenty of options. Okoye had 13 kills and hit .423, Corrujedo had 12 kills and Willis collected 11 kills and hit .455. Domme had 43 assists and 12 digs. Cassidy Rooke came up with a match-high 24 digs.

NDSU held the lead for most of the fourth set but the Pioneers came back to tie the score at 21-all. A kill from Hadley Steffen highlighted the four-point run to close out the set and force the deciding fifth. Erika Gelzinyte, Minnick and Steffen each had 14 kills, while Miron contributed 11. Mikaela Purnell led the Bison with 23 digs, while Steffen had 15 and Emily Milligan added 13. Rasmusson finished with 44 assists, 12 digs, six kills and two blocks.

Eight North Dakota State seniors -- Monica Claxton, Hannah Jessen, Milligan, Minnick, Miron, Ali Moody, Morgan Morgan and Steffen -- made their final appearance in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse on Sunday.