FARGO – The University of Denver Volleyball team got back on the right track on Thursday, taking down North Dakota State (25-19, 25-20, 25-16) at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. The Pioneers improved to 13-2 (4-1 SL) on the year.

Inside the Box Score

• Tina Boe was efficient as ever, finishing with eight kills (.571 hitting percentage) and six blocks.
• Lydia Bartalo had eight kills, four aces and 15 digs.
• DU recorded its third straight match with at least nine blocks.

Significant Stats

• The Pioneers have now won the last nine meetings against the Bison.
• DU has won the last 13 sets against NDSU.
• Ellie Anderson made history, becoming just the fifth player in program history in the DI era (1998-pres.) to record at least 2,500 career assists in her career.

Turning Point
A 6-1 run from the Pioneers in the second set to break a 13-13 tie.

1st Set
Denver came out and got the first two points of the contest. Both teams then began a run of trading points leading to a 7-7 tie. Anderson made her history, setting up Erica Andrich for a kill to record her 2,500th career assist, sparking a 5-0 run for the Crimson and Gold. The Bison challenged late in the set, but never got closer than three points as Denver took the set on a kill from Hailey Green to make it 25-21.

2nd Set
NDSU opened the second set strong, going up 6-2, highlighted by a couple of aces. North Dakota State got its lead up to six at 11-5, forcing the Pioneers to take a timeout and regroup. DU responded, going on a 6-2 of its own to close within two at 13-11 after a powerful kill from Hailey Green. It was all Crimson and Gold from there, taking the set 25-20.

3rd Set
Denver made efficient plays out the gate in the third, taking a 6-4 advantage to start the final set. The Pioneers lead grew to as large as eight at 20-11 after a kill from Brianna Green. DU closed it out on a kill by Bartalo, taking it 25-16.

Up Next
The Pioneers (13-2, 4-1 SL) wraps up the trip in the north, with a meeting at North Dakota. First serve is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday.

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