Thursday, October 26
Kansas City, Mo.
7 p.m.
North Dakota State
at
Kansas City
Photo by: Zachary Lucy
NDSU Volleyball Set for Road Test at Kansas City and Omaha
10/24/2023 1:19:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
THIS WEEK
The North Dakota State (14-7, 6-4 Summit) volleyball team is back on the road this week at Kansas City (16-5, 7-2 Summit) on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The Bison then travel to Omaha (10-11, 9-2 Summit) on Saturday. First serve is set for 12:00 p.m.
MATCH COVERAGE
Both matches will feature live statistics and be streamed on the Summit League Network for subscribers.
LAST TIME OUT
NDSU topped Denver, 3-0, on Saturday to extend its win streak to three matches. Lauren Jansen paced the Bison with a team-high 12 kills and a .310 hitting percentage. Ali Hinze logged her second straight double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Kelley Johnson passed out 32 assists with eight digs. Ava Schmoll led the way on the defensive side of the floor with 13 digs.
THE SERIES VS. KANSAS CITY
This will be the 25th all-time meeting between NDSU and Kansas City dating back to 1982 with the Bison leading the series, 19-5. NDSU has won each of the last two meetings and most recently topped the Roos, 3-2, last season after Alexis Boling totaled 16 kills.
THE SERIES VS. OMAHA
This will be the 99th all-time meeting between NDSU and Omaha dating back to 1978 with the Mavericks holding the slight edge in the series, 55-43. Earlier this season, Omaha edged NDSU, 3-2, on Sept. 30. Ali Hinze led the way for the Bison with a team-best 15 kills and match-high 15 digs.
THE STRETCH RUN OF THE REGULAR SEASON
The Bison are entering the stretch run of regular season play with only six matches remaining. NDSU will play four of the final six matches on the road and is positioned in fifth place in the Summit League. Omaha holds the top spot with a 9-2 mark in conference play this season.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Entering the week, the Bison lead the Summit League in assists per set (12.59), hitting percentage (.258) and kills per set (13.61). NDSU is also positioned second in team assists (995), opponent hitting percentage (.194) and team kills (1,075).
LOPEZ APPROACHING 100TH CAREER WIN
Head coach Jennifer Lopez enters the week two wins away from her 100th. She has totaled a 98-90 record and would become only the fifth coach in NDSU history to reach the 100 career wins plateau.
SHE CAN DO IT ALL
Ali Hinze has surpassed the 1,000 career kills mark with 1,325 over her first four seasons. She's one of nine players to reach the mark in the NDSU Division I era and ranks 16th in Bison history.
Hinze has also reached the 1,000 career digs mark and has tallied 1,085 over four seasons. She's only the second player in the NDSU Division I era to record at least 1,000 career digs and 1,000 career kills, joining Brynn Joki (2009-12).
NOTABLE HINZE STREAKS
Ali Hinze has reached double figures in kills in 19 of the first 21 matches this season, including the last 11 straight. The Maple Grove, Minn., native finished last season posting double figures in 21 consecutive matches. She has also contributed a team-best 14 double-doubles this season and has tallied a double-double in seven of the last eight matches.
FIVE SEASONS OF WORK
Kelley Johnson handed out a career-high 1,342 assists last season and currently ranks seventh all-time in Bison history with 3,672 career assists. She's one of four players to reach the 3,000 career assists mark in the NDSU Division I era. Among active players in NCAA Division I, her 3,672 assists rank 20th in the nation. Savannah Vach (Miami FL) leads all active players with 4,843 assists.
Johnson has also surpassed 1,000 career digs plateau and has totaled 1,037 over five seasons. She's only the third player in the NDSU Division I era to record at least 3,000 assists and 1,000 digs in her career, joining current head coach Jennifer Lopez (2008-11) and Brianna Rasmusson (2014-17).
QUAN HITS 1K DIGS
Taylor Quan recorded a season-best 27 digs at St. Thomas on Oct. 14 to reach the 1,000 career digs mark. She has totaled 1,050 digs over four seasons and ranks tied for 22nd all-time in Bison history.
Efficient hitting in the middle
Ally Barth ranks third in the Summit League with a .334 hitting percentage this season. The Verona, Wis., native has totaled a career-high 135 kills on 279 attempts with only 39 errors.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
NDSU earned its highest Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll ranking since 2016 after being picked second. The Bison garnered 54 total points and two first place votes to secure the second spot. South Dakota was selected first with 61 points and six first place votes, while Omaha closed out the top three with 53 points and one first place vote.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior outside hitter Ali Hinze and senior setter Kelley Johnson were selected to the Summit League Players to Watch list. Johnson, who was named the Summit League Setter of the Year last season, paced the conference and ranked eighth in the nation with a career-best 1,342 assists. Hinze picked up All-Summit League First Team honors last season after powering the Bison with a career-best 446 kills. The Maple Grove, Minn., native averaged a team-high 3.63 kills per set, which ranked fifth in the Summit League.
LOOKING BACK AT THE 2022 SEASON
The Bison finished last season reaching the 20-win mark for only the fifth time in the Division I era with a 21-12 (13-5 Summit) overall record and advanced to the Summit League Championship
semifinal round for the first time since 2018. NDSU closed the season making its first appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
The Bison featured one of the most high-powered offenses in the country after totaling 1,759 kills, which paced the Summit League and ranked seventh in the nation. NDSU also led the conference and ranked 10th in the nation in total assists with 1,615.
PLENTY OF DEPTH IN THE LINEUP
NDSU returns nine starters this season, including five seniors: Ava Schmoll, Taylor Quan, Ali Hinze, Alex Lyle and Kelley Johnson. Schmoll and Johnson provide the most experience on the roster and are both entering their fifth seasons at NDSU. Schmoll has appeared in a team-high 117 matches, while Johnson (116), Quan (102) and Hinze (100) have also surpassed 100 matches. Logan O'Brien, who played in 49 career matches at North Florida prior to NDSU, has played in 103 career matches.
YOUNG BISON
The Bison added three newcomers roster after Arianna Blohm, Emma Tallman and Lauren Jansen signed last November. Ally Barth, who was named to the All-Summit League Freshman Team last season, and Baily Randall are the only other underclassman on the roster and will each be entering their sophomore seasons.
THIS IS OUR HOUSE
The Bison have called Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse home since 1978 and have notched a 407-106 overall record at home during that span. NDSU picked up its 400th win at the BBF after sweeping Kansas City, 3-0, on Oct. 1, 2022.
TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE CLASSROOM
NDSU earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 11th straight year in 2022-23. The Bison also earned a spot on the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll with a team GPA in the top 20 percent of NCAA Division I. NDSU boasted a 3.74 cumulative GPA last season.
LOOKING AHEAD
NDSU will return home hosting South Dakota State on Thursday, Nov. 2. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m., at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
The North Dakota State (14-7, 6-4 Summit) volleyball team is back on the road this week at Kansas City (16-5, 7-2 Summit) on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The Bison then travel to Omaha (10-11, 9-2 Summit) on Saturday. First serve is set for 12:00 p.m.
MATCH COVERAGE
Both matches will feature live statistics and be streamed on the Summit League Network for subscribers.
LAST TIME OUT
NDSU topped Denver, 3-0, on Saturday to extend its win streak to three matches. Lauren Jansen paced the Bison with a team-high 12 kills and a .310 hitting percentage. Ali Hinze logged her second straight double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Kelley Johnson passed out 32 assists with eight digs. Ava Schmoll led the way on the defensive side of the floor with 13 digs.
THE SERIES VS. KANSAS CITY
This will be the 25th all-time meeting between NDSU and Kansas City dating back to 1982 with the Bison leading the series, 19-5. NDSU has won each of the last two meetings and most recently topped the Roos, 3-2, last season after Alexis Boling totaled 16 kills.
THE SERIES VS. OMAHA
This will be the 99th all-time meeting between NDSU and Omaha dating back to 1978 with the Mavericks holding the slight edge in the series, 55-43. Earlier this season, Omaha edged NDSU, 3-2, on Sept. 30. Ali Hinze led the way for the Bison with a team-best 15 kills and match-high 15 digs.
THE STRETCH RUN OF THE REGULAR SEASON
The Bison are entering the stretch run of regular season play with only six matches remaining. NDSU will play four of the final six matches on the road and is positioned in fifth place in the Summit League. Omaha holds the top spot with a 9-2 mark in conference play this season.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Entering the week, the Bison lead the Summit League in assists per set (12.59), hitting percentage (.258) and kills per set (13.61). NDSU is also positioned second in team assists (995), opponent hitting percentage (.194) and team kills (1,075).
LOPEZ APPROACHING 100TH CAREER WIN
Head coach Jennifer Lopez enters the week two wins away from her 100th. She has totaled a 98-90 record and would become only the fifth coach in NDSU history to reach the 100 career wins plateau.
SHE CAN DO IT ALL
Ali Hinze has surpassed the 1,000 career kills mark with 1,325 over her first four seasons. She's one of nine players to reach the mark in the NDSU Division I era and ranks 16th in Bison history.
Hinze has also reached the 1,000 career digs mark and has tallied 1,085 over four seasons. She's only the second player in the NDSU Division I era to record at least 1,000 career digs and 1,000 career kills, joining Brynn Joki (2009-12).
NOTABLE HINZE STREAKS
Ali Hinze has reached double figures in kills in 19 of the first 21 matches this season, including the last 11 straight. The Maple Grove, Minn., native finished last season posting double figures in 21 consecutive matches. She has also contributed a team-best 14 double-doubles this season and has tallied a double-double in seven of the last eight matches.
FIVE SEASONS OF WORK
Kelley Johnson handed out a career-high 1,342 assists last season and currently ranks seventh all-time in Bison history with 3,672 career assists. She's one of four players to reach the 3,000 career assists mark in the NDSU Division I era. Among active players in NCAA Division I, her 3,672 assists rank 20th in the nation. Savannah Vach (Miami FL) leads all active players with 4,843 assists.
Johnson has also surpassed 1,000 career digs plateau and has totaled 1,037 over five seasons. She's only the third player in the NDSU Division I era to record at least 3,000 assists and 1,000 digs in her career, joining current head coach Jennifer Lopez (2008-11) and Brianna Rasmusson (2014-17).
QUAN HITS 1K DIGS
Taylor Quan recorded a season-best 27 digs at St. Thomas on Oct. 14 to reach the 1,000 career digs mark. She has totaled 1,050 digs over four seasons and ranks tied for 22nd all-time in Bison history.
Efficient hitting in the middle
Ally Barth ranks third in the Summit League with a .334 hitting percentage this season. The Verona, Wis., native has totaled a career-high 135 kills on 279 attempts with only 39 errors.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
NDSU earned its highest Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll ranking since 2016 after being picked second. The Bison garnered 54 total points and two first place votes to secure the second spot. South Dakota was selected first with 61 points and six first place votes, while Omaha closed out the top three with 53 points and one first place vote.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior outside hitter Ali Hinze and senior setter Kelley Johnson were selected to the Summit League Players to Watch list. Johnson, who was named the Summit League Setter of the Year last season, paced the conference and ranked eighth in the nation with a career-best 1,342 assists. Hinze picked up All-Summit League First Team honors last season after powering the Bison with a career-best 446 kills. The Maple Grove, Minn., native averaged a team-high 3.63 kills per set, which ranked fifth in the Summit League.
LOOKING BACK AT THE 2022 SEASON
The Bison finished last season reaching the 20-win mark for only the fifth time in the Division I era with a 21-12 (13-5 Summit) overall record and advanced to the Summit League Championship
semifinal round for the first time since 2018. NDSU closed the season making its first appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
The Bison featured one of the most high-powered offenses in the country after totaling 1,759 kills, which paced the Summit League and ranked seventh in the nation. NDSU also led the conference and ranked 10th in the nation in total assists with 1,615.
PLENTY OF DEPTH IN THE LINEUP
NDSU returns nine starters this season, including five seniors: Ava Schmoll, Taylor Quan, Ali Hinze, Alex Lyle and Kelley Johnson. Schmoll and Johnson provide the most experience on the roster and are both entering their fifth seasons at NDSU. Schmoll has appeared in a team-high 117 matches, while Johnson (116), Quan (102) and Hinze (100) have also surpassed 100 matches. Logan O'Brien, who played in 49 career matches at North Florida prior to NDSU, has played in 103 career matches.
YOUNG BISON
The Bison added three newcomers roster after Arianna Blohm, Emma Tallman and Lauren Jansen signed last November. Ally Barth, who was named to the All-Summit League Freshman Team last season, and Baily Randall are the only other underclassman on the roster and will each be entering their sophomore seasons.
THIS IS OUR HOUSE
The Bison have called Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse home since 1978 and have notched a 407-106 overall record at home during that span. NDSU picked up its 400th win at the BBF after sweeping Kansas City, 3-0, on Oct. 1, 2022.
TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE CLASSROOM
NDSU earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 11th straight year in 2022-23. The Bison also earned a spot on the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll with a team GPA in the top 20 percent of NCAA Division I. NDSU boasted a 3.74 cumulative GPA last season.
LOOKING AHEAD
NDSU will return home hosting South Dakota State on Thursday, Nov. 2. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m., at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
Players Mentioned
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