CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The North Dakota State volleyball team grinded out back-to-back wins over Jackson State, 3-2, and Southeast Missouri State, 3-2, in day one of the SEMO Invitational at Houck Field House.

In match one, NDSU won the final two sets to pick up a 3-2 win over Jackson State. Syra Tanchin paced the Bison with her second career double-double with a match-high 20 kills and 10 digs. Ali Hinze just missed a double-double of her own with 15 kills and nine digs. Michelle Glover also added in 14 kills and match-best four blocks. Kelley Johnson rounded out the top performers with a match-high 42 assists and eight digs.

After both teams split the first two sets, Jackson State ran out to a 16-11 edge in the third frame. The Tigers didn't look back from there winning the set, 25-15. Jackson State posted a .438 hitting percentage in the frame in comparison to NDSU's .179. The Bison answered in the fourth stanza building an 18-12 advantage after back-to-back kills from Allison Scheiwiller and Tanchin. NDSU went on to take the set, 25-17, following three straight kills, including two from Hinze to force a fifth set.

Both teams traded points in the fifth frame until the Bison snatched a 14-11 edge after an attack error. The Tigers made one final surge with three straight points to lock the contest, 14-14, before Glover and Tanchin sealed the win, 16-14, and the match, 3-2, with two straight kills.

In the second match, NDSU edged Southeast Missouri State, 3-2. Hinze led the Bison with her first double-double of the season with 21 digs and 17 kills. Tanchin also registered her second straight double-double with a career-high 20 digs and 14 kills. Johnson added a double-double of her own with a match-high 50 assists and 10 digs.

NDSU and Southeast Missouri State split the first two sets to lock the contest, 1-1. Both teams continued to battle late into the third frame until the Bison were able to steal a two-point edge, 22-20, after an ace from Logan O'Brien. NDSU went on to finish the set on a 3-0 run to win the frame, 25-21. The Redhawks, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, fought back in the fourth frame opening up an 18-16 advantage. The Bison couldn't get anything going the rest of way and dropped the set, 25-21.

NDSU sprinted out to a 6-1 lead in the fifth frame following a momentum-swinging block solo from Johnson. The Bison then used three straight Redhawk attack errors to increase their lead to 9-1. NDSU closed out the set, 15-10, and the match, 3-2.

The Bison will wrap up play at the SEMO Invitational tomorrow against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. First serve is set for 11:00 a.m.