November 6, 2010
By Nicholas Miller
Bulldog fans were saddened this Saturday afternoon when the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women’s volleyball team lost the last scheduled 2010 home match against the Moorhead Dragons 3 - 2, leaving them with a conference record of 15 - 3. However, this was by no means a slanted win.
The Dragons started out strong scoring the first goal of the match within the first few seconds of play. The Bulldogs immediately responded back violently spiking the ball over the net. The rest of the first set carried on this way going back and forth neither team allowing the other to ever get more then a few points ahead. Moorhead eventually pulled ahead winning 25 - 21.
Not to be outdone the Bulldogs came back in the second set with a renewed energy. They immediately took a strong lead and finished the set off quickly scoring 25 - 17. Encouraged by the change in pace the Bulldogs kept their hold on the game and finished off the third 25 - 13.
This 2 -1 lead can be contributed to some of the Bulldogs main players. Junior setter Eleena Iisakka had six digs, three block assists, and sixty three set assists during the match. Middle blocker and junior April Hansen made three blocks and racked up thirteen kills. Katie Kuffel, senior outside hitter, dug five balls, assisted on five blocks, and made a twenty two kill effort. When asked about the match Kuffel said “I believe it was great because we’ve been struggling all year with inconsistent play and during that game we were all glued in and ready for anything. We just kept pressing them and it was a great feeling that we were playing like we were capable.”
Tension was high during the fourth set. It was impossible to tell who the match would go to as the teams traded blows. Eventually the Dragons managed to hold off the Bulldogs game point at 24 - 23 winning the fourth and sending the match into the fifth at 26 - 24.
The teams played a speedy fifth match with the Dragons making four blocks and hitting .467. Game point went to Moorhead at 15 - 13 ending the Dragons’ five game losing streak and making it their first win in Romano Gymnasium since October of 2001.
Despite the loss the Bulldogs look forward to the future. Team setter Eleena Iisakka said “I am full of regret and disappointment and I know our whole team feels that way. We got outworked on our home floor which is not okay. However, I think our team will fight back from this loss and finish our season off with a bang.” “We are all focused on this goal and are confident in ending up with a ring on our finger.”
Sources
Eleena Iisakka iisak005@d.umn.edu
Katie Kuffle kuff0012@d.umn.edu
By Nicholas Miller
Bulldog fans were saddened this Saturday afternoon when the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women’s volleyball team lost the last scheduled 2010 home match against the Moorhead Dragons 3 - 2, leaving them with a conference record of 15 - 3. However, this was by no means a slanted win.
The Dragons started out strong scoring the first goal of the match within the first few seconds of play. The Bulldogs immediately responded back violently spiking the ball over the net. The rest of the first set carried on this way going back and forth neither team allowing the other to ever get more then a few points ahead. Moorhead eventually pulled ahead winning 25 - 21.
Not to be outdone the Bulldogs came back in the second set with a renewed energy. They immediately took a strong lead and finished the set off quickly scoring 25 - 17. Encouraged by the change in pace the Bulldogs kept their hold on the game and finished off the third 25 - 13.
This 2 -1 lead can be contributed to some of the Bulldogs main players. Junior setter Eleena Iisakka had six digs, three block assists, and sixty three set assists during the match. Middle blocker and junior April Hansen made three blocks and racked up thirteen kills. Katie Kuffel, senior outside hitter, dug five balls, assisted on five blocks, and made a twenty two kill effort. When asked about the match Kuffel said “I believe it was great because we’ve been struggling all year with inconsistent play and during that game we were all glued in and ready for anything. We just kept pressing them and it was a great feeling that we were playing like we were capable.”
Tension was high during the fourth set. It was impossible to tell who the match would go to as the teams traded blows. Eventually the Dragons managed to hold off the Bulldogs game point at 24 - 23 winning the fourth and sending the match into the fifth at 26 - 24.
The teams played a speedy fifth match with the Dragons making four blocks and hitting .467. Game point went to Moorhead at 15 - 13 ending the Dragons’ five game losing streak and making it their first win in Romano Gymnasium since October of 2001.
Despite the loss the Bulldogs look forward to the future. Team setter Eleena Iisakka said “I am full of regret and disappointment and I know our whole team feels that way. We got outworked on our home floor which is not okay. However, I think our team will fight back from this loss and finish our season off with a bang.” “We are all focused on this goal and are confident in ending up with a ring on our finger.”
Sources
Eleena Iisakka iisak005@d.umn.edu
Katie Kuffle kuff0012@d.umn.edu
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