FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne held off North Dakota State 3-1 (25-10, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23) in a Summit League volleyball match played Friday, Nov. 1, before 335 fans at Arnie Ball Court.
 
The Bison (10-13, 5-6 SL) plays at Western Illinois (6-17, 3-7 SL) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The Leathernecks hosted North Dakota on Friday night.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne (14-11, 8-3 SL) won the first set in convincing fashion, but North Dakota State stormed back to make things interesting behind the play of Maggie Steffen, Emily Halverson and Kirstin Tidd.
 
The fourth set was snug as the score was tied 10 straight times and only two points separated the two teams before the Mastodons claimed the win.
 
Alexis Bachmeier led NDSU with 12 kills and 11 digs, while Maggie Steffen connected for a career-high 10 kills and .290 hitting percentage. Kalli Hegerle finished with 20 assists, 12 digs and hit .364 with four kills Kaylee Hanger came up with 16 digs and Abbi Klos added 10. Bella Lien and Tidd both had two blocks.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne outhit NDSU .303 to .147. Katie Crowe had 15 kills, 13 digs and two aces, Sidney Schiller collected 14 kills and hit .367, while Sydney Boerst added 11 kills and hit .526. Madelyn Wurster and Boerst each had four blocks. Rachael Crucis came up with a match-high 24 digs, and Madison Gates and Kendyll Gebert combined for 45 assists.