FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State volleyball team overcame an early two-set deficit to complete the 3-2 come-from-behind win over Omaha on Saturday night at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
With the win, the Bison improve to 15-9 (10-5 Summit) on the season. NDSU finished its home schedule with an 11-2 mark at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse this season. It marks the most home wins for the Bison since the 2003 season. Omaha drops to 9-15 (6-9 Summit) on the season.
Baily Randall totaled a career-high 17 kills with four digs and two service aces, while
Arianna Blohm notched 13 kills with four blocks.
Zoe John also reached double digits in kills with 10 to go along with three digs.
Lauren Jansen led the way on the defensive end with a match-high 15 digs and
Maddy Dombeck posted a double-double with 20 assists and 11 digs.
Omaha used a .423 hitting percentage with only two errors to win the opening set, 25-12, before grinding out a 25-23 win in the second frame that saw a match-high 11 tie scores and five lead changes.
NDSU pushed back in the third set assembling an 8-3 run to build a 17-12 advantage with a kill from John. The Mavericks answered with six straight of their own to regain the lead, 18-17, with an ace from Faith Venable. The Bison responded with a 7-2 run to steal the edge, 24-20, following a kill from Randall. NDSU went on to win the set, 25-21.
The Bison carried the momentum into the fourth frame doubling up the Mavericks, 12-6, after an attack error. Omaha then slowly pulled its way back to lock the contest, 16-16, with a kill from Morgan DeBow. The two teams went on to trade points until NDSU grabbed a 22-18 advantage after another Maverick attack error. NDSU held off Omaha the rest of the way to force a fifth set, 25-21.
Both teams continued to battle throughout the fifth frame that featured eight tie scores and four lead changes until the Mavericks stole an 11-9 edge on an attack error. The Bison, who posted a match-best .455 hitting percentage in the stanza, responded to close the set on a 6-1 run that included two kills from John to seal the frame, 15-12, the comeback win, 3-2.
NDSU will wrap up regular season play at South Dakota on Tuesday night. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
