CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The North Dakota State volleyball team cruised past Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 3-0, to earn its first sweep of the season at the SEMO Invitational at Houck Field House.

With the win, the Bison are off to their first 3-0 start to a season since 2011. Ali Hinze paced the Bison with a match-high 10 kills to go along with five digs and one ace. Kelley Johnson also distributed a match-best 28 assists, while Ava Schmoll led all players with 12 digs.

After both teams traded points in the opening set, NDSU assembled a 7-1 run and stole momentum building a 20-10 edge after a kill from Alexis Boling. The Bison went on to close out the frame, 25-12. Boling led all players in the set with five kills.

NDSU continued to apply pressure into the second frame with seven unanswered points to open up a 10-4 lead following two UAPB (0-3) attack errors. The Bison then doubled up the Lions, 14-7, after Boling delivered a kill. NDSU won the second set, 25-10.

The Lions battled back in the third frame that saw a match-high eight tie scores and four lead changes. The Bison were able to put together a late 5-0 run capped off by kill from Johnson to steal a 20-16 edge. After the Lions pulled back within two, 21-19, Alex Lyle came in off the bench and delivered her first kill of the match to push the lead back up to 22-19. NDSU went on to take the set, 25-19, and complete the sweep, 3-0.

The Bison will be back in action at the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic against Louisiana on Friday. First serve is set for 9 a.m.