NDSU Outlasts Appalachian State, Motors Past George Washington

Saturday, September 9

Fargo, N.D.

10 a.m.

North Dakota State Athletics

5-3

George Washington

2-7

Team	1	2	3	Final F
George Washington	16	20	9	0
NDSU	25	25	25	3

Photo by: Carrie Snyder

NDSU Outlasts Appalachian State, Motors Past George Washington

9/9/2017 10:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

George Washington Photo Gallery
Appalachian State Photo Gallery

FARGO, N.D. – McKenzie Burke and Erika Gelzinyte each connected for a career-high 18 kills as North Dakota State outlasted Appalachian State 3-2 (16-25, 25-18, 25-17, 19-25, 16-14) before a crowd of 846 on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. The Bison posted a season-high .345 hitting percentage to motor past George Washington 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-9) in the day's first match.

NDSU (6-3) is scheduled to play in the Florida Atlantic University Invitational on Sept. 15-16 in Boca Raton. The Bison improved to 5-0 at home this season.

The 2 hour, 4 minute match came down to the fifth set between North Dakota State and the Mountaineers, who defeated George Washington 3-2 in Saturday's middle match.

The Bison built a 7-3 lead early as Brianna Rasmusson recorded a service ace, while Gelzinyte and Burke combined for six kills.

However, Appalachian State not only battled back to tie the set but also take a 12-11 lead on a pair of Kara Spicer kills. Following a timeout, the Bison utilized a pair of errors and Rasmusson tip to take a 14-12 advantage.

The Mountaineers clawed back including a block from Courtney Sullivan and Ashly Brown to tie the set at 14-all. Sullivan had a match-high six blocks as ASU finished with 11 team blocks overall

North Dakota State bounced back, first with a Gelzinyte kill and then an Allie Mauch and Bella Lien combo block to take the set and the match.

Emily Halverson added 10 kills to give the Bison three hitters in double figures. Rasmusson finished with 46 assists, seven kills, seven digs and three blocks. Abbi Klos tied a career-high with four aces, while Mikaela Purnell came up with 24 digs and three aces.

Appalachian State outhit NDSU .248 to .196 led by the 17 kills from Melissa McMath. Lexi Kohut collected 12 kills, while Spicer added 11. Brown record 44 assists, while Emma Reilly claimed 20 digs to lead group of five in double figures.

Gelzinyte stroked 10 kills and hit .348 to lead a balanced NDSU offense against George Washington (2-8). Brianna Rasmusson directed the offense with 30 assists and chipped in four kills.

Halverson connected for six of her seven kills to help the Bison pull away in the pivotal first set, which featured eight ties. Burke came up with two of her five kills to put the Colonials away.

North Dakota State dominated the net led by Lien and her season-high eight blocks. The Bison finished with 10 team blocks. Burke, Halverson and Gelzinyte each had two blocks.

Purnell had a match-high 15 kills. Including the Appalachian State match, Purnell has had double-figure digs in 28 straight matches and 62 in her career. Rasmusson and Burke combined for six of NDSU's seven service aces.