BROOKINGS, S.D. – The fourth-seeded North Dakota State volleyball team closed the fifth set with six straight points to top fifth-seeded Denver, 3-2, in the first round of the Summit League Championship on Sunday night at First Bank & Trust Arena.

With the win, NDSU (17-10, 10-6 Summit) advances to the semifinal round for the first time since 2023 against top-seeded South Dakota State tomorrow. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m., at First Bank and Trust Arena.

Denver (17-11, 9-7 Summit) got off to a fast start in the fifth frame doubling up NDSU, 10-5, with a service from Eren IIayda. The two teams then exchanged points until the Pioneers increased their edge to 14-10 following a kill from Ava Reynolds. The Bison fought back to lock the contest with a kill from Ally Barth to make the score 14-14. NDSU, who closed the set with six straight points, used a bad set and a service from Maddy Dombeck to seal the frame, 16-14, and the 3-2 comeback win.

Baily Randall paced the Bison tying a season-high 17 kills with eight digs, while Zoe John notched a season-best 13 kills with a .500 hitting percentage. Lauren Jansen posted her team-high sixth double-double of the season with 14 digs and 11 kills. Barth also tied a season-high 11 kills with five blocks.

NDSU handed out a season-best 61 assists with Dombeck and Cathy Porter posting a team-best 27 assists each. Rya Borer closed out the top performers with a team-high 17 digs on the defensive end of the floor.