BOCA RATON, Fla. – North Dakota State University took control at the net to defeat host Florida Atlantic University 3-1 (16-25, 25-18, 28-26, 25-20) and then took out Savannah State 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-10) on Saturday, Sept. 16, to complete the FAU Invitational undefeated with a 3-0 record. The Bison claimed their second pre-league tournament championship.
 
North Dakota State libero Mikaela Purnell was selected MVP of the FAU Invitational, and teammates, setter Brianna Rasmusson and outside hitter McKenzie both picked up all-tournament honors. Purnell averaged 6.27 digs per set over the weekend.
 
NDSU (9-3) is scheduled to open Summit League play on the road at South Dakota (6-6) on Sept. 23 and at South Dakota State (1-11) on Sept. 24. Both teams are playing today.
 
Florida Atlantic (8-3) hit .379 in the first set to take a 1-0 lead. However, the Bison bounced back in the second behind Erika Gelzinyte, who had six of her final 15 kills, and Burke, who ripped five of her 15. NDSU hit .275 in the second set and regained its edge at the net.
 
The pivotal third set featured 13 ties and six lead changes including two in the latter stages. The Bison led 24-22 following a Brianna Rasmusson kill, but the Owls came back to reel off three straight points to take a 25-24 lead on a Sydney Riggs attack. NDSU tied it at 25-all, but Abbi Reid recorded a kill to put FAU back ahead 26-25.
 
North Dakota State rattled off three straight points on a pair of kills from Bella Lien and another from Gelzinyte to take the set and a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
NDSU outhit Florida Atlantic .188 to .157 in the match and held a 12-7 advantage in team blocks. Emily Halveson and Allie Mauch each had six blocks, while Lien collected five.
 
Purnell pocketed 33 digs to reach 30-plus for the first time this season and eighth time in her career. She led the Bison with three service aces. Abbi Klos came up with a career best 16.
 
Rasmusson directed the offense with 40 assists. Rasmusson added 15 digs, four blocks, four digs and a pair of aces.
 
Reid led FAU with 14 kills, while Sydney Kam had 10. Ivone Martinez recorded 47 assists and 11 digs. Alex Cardona came up with 25 digs and collected three aces.
 
North Dakota State struck for a season-high .410 hitting percentage to speed past Savannah State (2-8) in Saturday's final match. Lien connected for a match-high 10 kills and hit .444. Alex Erickson and Halverson followed with seven kills. Halverson had a match-high three blocks.
 
Rasmusson finished with 30 assists and six kills. Klos had a match-high eight digs. McGowan and Klos each had three aces.