CHICAGO  – Kaylee Hanger notched a season-high 16 digs to help guide North Dakota State past Niagara, 3-0, at the Windy City Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Jones Convocation Center.

After trading points in a first set that saw six lead changes, Ali Hinze sparked a 3-0 run with a kill and service ace to help the Bison steal a 17-15 edge. NDSU held off Niagara the rest of the way to win the frame, 25-22. Syra Tanchin paced the Bison with five kills and four digs, while Taylor Quan poured in seven digs.

NDSU erupted in the second frame with a 12-0 run to open up a 15-2 edge after a kill from Raegen Reilly. The Purple Eagles responded to slowly pull back within four, 20-16, following a service ace. However, the Bison closed out the set, 25-21, following a service error.

NDSU kept momentum rolling into the third set quickly doubling up Niagara, 8-4, taking advantage of service errors to force a timeout. The Bison then started to put the frame out of reach after a kill from Michelle Glover and a service error to extend the lead up nine, 19-10. NDSU went on to take the set, 25-21, and earn its first sweep of the season.

As a team, NDSU totaled 41 kills and 57 digs to go along with a .223 hitting percentage.

Glover totaled seven kills to go along with three blocks and two digs. Hinze also notched seven kills with four digs, while Reilly added in a match-high 26 assists. Quan also reached double figures in digs for the first time this season with 13 to round out the top performers.