Thursday, September 28
Fargo, N.D.
7 p.m.
North Dakota State
vs
St. Thomas
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Photo by: Zachary Lucy
NDSU Volleyball Returns Home Hosting St. Thomas and Omaha
9/26/2023 4:11:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
THIS WEEK
The North Dakota State (9-4, 1-1 Summit) volleyball team returns home hosting St. Thomas (4-8, 0-1 Summit) on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. The Bison will conclude the week against Omaha (2-10, 1-1 Summit) on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
MATCH COVERAGE
Both matches will feature live statistics and be available on the Summit League Network for subscribers. The Thursday night match against St. Thomas will also be streamed on WDAY Xtra for subscribers.
TICKETS
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 3-17, and reserved tickets are $10-12 . Match day tickets are sold at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse and are also available at GoBison.com/tickets. Doors open one (1) hour prior to the match. Free parking is available in Visitors Lot E.
SAAC TOY DRIVE
The NDSU Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) is extending its successful holiday Toy Drive to all home events this fall. Bison student-athletes will be collecting new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations near the entrance of each event.
LAST TIME OUT
NDSU dropped a 3-0 decision at Denver in a match that saw 23 tie scores and 11 lead changes. Ally Barth paced the Bison posting a match-high 12 kills to go along with a .750 hitting percentage. Ali Hinze also reached double digits in kills for the third straight match with 11 and added four digs. Kelley Johnson passed out a team-high 29 assists with five digs and four kills.
BACK IN THE BBF
The Bison return home this week to the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse after playing 11 of their first 13 matches on the road. NDSU is no stranger to opening the season on the road after also starting last season playing 11 of their first 14 matches away from home.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Entering the week, the Bison lead the Summit League in hitting percentage (.256), kills per set (13.43) and assists per set. NDSU also ranks second in team assists (603) and team kills (658).
JOHNSON MILESTONE WATCH
Kelley Johnson handed out a career-high 1,342 assists last season and currently ranks eighth all-time in Bison history with 3,350 career assists. She's one of four players to reach the 3,000 career
assists mark in the NDSU Division I era.
With 31 digs this week, Johnson would also reach the 1,000 career digs plateau and has totaled 969 over five seasons. She would become 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).
HINZE MILESTONE WATCH
Ali Hinze has surpassed the 1,000 kills mark with 1,189 over her first four seasons. She's one of nine players to reach the mark in the NDSU Division I era.
With 20 digs this week, Hinze would reach the 1,000 career digs mark and has tallied 980 over four seasons. She would become only the second player in the NDSU Division I era to record at least 1,000 career digs and 1,000 career kills, joining Bynn Joki (2009-12).
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 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 96 career matches, while Johnson has also reached the 90-match plateau with 95.
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 403-104 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.
THE SERIES ST. THOMAS
This will be the seventh all-time meeting between NDSU and St. Thomas dating back to 1983 with the Bison leading the series, 6-0. In their most recent meeting last season, the Bison swept the Tommies, 3-0, at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. Kelley Johnson recorded a match-high 40 assists with 11 digs, while Ali Hinze totaled a match-best 16 kills with 11 digs.
THE SERIES OMAHA
This will be the 93rd all-time meeting between NDSU and Omaha dating back to 1982 with the Mavericks leading the series, 50-42. In their most recent meeting last season, NDSU fell short against Omaha, 3-1, in the Summit League Championship Semifinals. Ali Hinze contributed a match-high 14 kills and Logan O'Brien added in a match-best 18 digs. Kelley Johnson also tallied a match-high 41 assists with 13 digs.
LOOKING AHEAD
NDSU will travel to South Dakota State on Thursday, Oct. 5. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
The North Dakota State (9-4, 1-1 Summit) volleyball team returns home hosting St. Thomas (4-8, 0-1 Summit) on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. The Bison will conclude the week against Omaha (2-10, 1-1 Summit) on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
MATCH COVERAGE
Both matches will feature live statistics and be available on the Summit League Network for subscribers. The Thursday night match against St. Thomas will also be streamed on WDAY Xtra for subscribers.
TICKETS
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 3-17, and reserved tickets are $10-12 . Match day tickets are sold at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse and are also available at GoBison.com/tickets. Doors open one (1) hour prior to the match. Free parking is available in Visitors Lot E.
SAAC TOY DRIVE
The NDSU Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) is extending its successful holiday Toy Drive to all home events this fall. Bison student-athletes will be collecting new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations near the entrance of each event.
LAST TIME OUT
NDSU dropped a 3-0 decision at Denver in a match that saw 23 tie scores and 11 lead changes. Ally Barth paced the Bison posting a match-high 12 kills to go along with a .750 hitting percentage. Ali Hinze also reached double digits in kills for the third straight match with 11 and added four digs. Kelley Johnson passed out a team-high 29 assists with five digs and four kills.
BACK IN THE BBF
The Bison return home this week to the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse after playing 11 of their first 13 matches on the road. NDSU is no stranger to opening the season on the road after also starting last season playing 11 of their first 14 matches away from home.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Entering the week, the Bison lead the Summit League in hitting percentage (.256), kills per set (13.43) and assists per set. NDSU also ranks second in team assists (603) and team kills (658).
JOHNSON MILESTONE WATCH
Kelley Johnson handed out a career-high 1,342 assists last season and currently ranks eighth all-time in Bison history with 3,350 career assists. She's one of four players to reach the 3,000 career
assists mark in the NDSU Division I era.
With 31 digs this week, Johnson would also reach the 1,000 career digs plateau and has totaled 969 over five seasons. She would become 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).
HINZE MILESTONE WATCH
Ali Hinze has surpassed the 1,000 kills mark with 1,189 over her first four seasons. She's one of nine players to reach the mark in the NDSU Division I era.
With 20 digs this week, Hinze would reach the 1,000 career digs mark and has tallied 980 over four seasons. She would become only the second player in the NDSU Division I era to record at least 1,000 career digs and 1,000 career kills, joining Bynn Joki (2009-12).
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 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 96 career matches, while Johnson has also reached the 90-match plateau with 95.
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 403-104 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.
THE SERIES ST. THOMAS
This will be the seventh all-time meeting between NDSU and St. Thomas dating back to 1983 with the Bison leading the series, 6-0. In their most recent meeting last season, the Bison swept the Tommies, 3-0, at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. Kelley Johnson recorded a match-high 40 assists with 11 digs, while Ali Hinze totaled a match-best 16 kills with 11 digs.
THE SERIES OMAHA
This will be the 93rd all-time meeting between NDSU and Omaha dating back to 1982 with the Mavericks leading the series, 50-42. In their most recent meeting last season, NDSU fell short against Omaha, 3-1, in the Summit League Championship Semifinals. Ali Hinze contributed a match-high 14 kills and Logan O'Brien added in a match-best 18 digs. Kelley Johnson also tallied a match-high 41 assists with 13 digs.
LOOKING AHEAD
NDSU will travel to South Dakota State on Thursday, Oct. 5. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballSunday, November 16
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