FARGO, N.D. – Balance carried North Dakota State to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-20) victory over Western Illinois in a Summit League match played Sunday, Oct. 6, before 656 spectators in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
 
The Bison (7-9, 2-2 SL) are scheduled to host league-leading South Dakota (15-1, 4-0 SL) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. USD extended its winning streak to 12 with a 3-2 win at Denver on Sunday.
 
Emily Halverson, Allie Mauch and Syra Tanchin each finished with eight kills as NDSU hit .264 overall to strike the Leathernecks (4-13, 1-3 SL) from all angles. Kalli Hegerle and Kelley Johnson combined for 32 assists and 10 digs in directing the offense.
 
North Dakota State kept Western Illinois at a distance, getting the lead and keeping it. The three-set match had only six ties and five lead changes. The Bison fell behind 5-1 in the second set, but were able to take the lead for good at 9-8 on an Alexis Bachmeier kill. That lead grew to 17-11 and 21-14.
 
Bella Lien finished with six kills, a match-high three blocks and her first collegiate service ace. Lien hit .667 for the match, while Mauch finished at .583 and Halverson hit .538. Bachmeier and Johnson each had seven digs.
 
Mariah Martin led Western Illinois with a match-high 11 kills, while Jessie Connell and Cassie Hunt combined for 28 assists. Connell and Hunt each had two aces. Gabby DePersio collected a match-high nine digs.