DULUTH, MN – The University of Mary volleyball team was unable to solve the defense of 5^th ranked University of Minnesota Duluth as the Bulldogs swept past the Marauders 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-9).
 
The Marauders sixth nationally-ranked opponent in their last nine matches, UMary failed to find a weakness in the UMD defense. After opening with 13 kills in the first set to 14 kills by UMD, UMary managed just 11 kills in the next two sets combined and hit a negative percentage in both stanzas. For the night the Marauders posted a -.022 attack percentage with 24 kills and 26 hitting errors. UMD recorded a .342 attack percentage with 35 kills and nine errors.
 
The net play by the Bulldogs was a big part of the Marauders struggles. UMD registered 13 blocks while UMary was held without a block on defense.
 
UMary battled through the opening set, pulling even at 15-15 on a kill by Anna Nietfeld. After  creeping back in the set at 22-19 on a Freddie Campbell termination, UMD scored three of the final four points to claim set one.
 
Down as many as six points in the second set, the Marauders clawed within 21-18 and forcing UMD to call a time out. Once again the deficit proved insurmountable for the Marauders.
 
The Bulldogs closed out the night with an 11-2 run to capture the third set and sweep the match.
 
Lauren Randall led UMary with eight kills. Nietfeld added five. Jody Heidel had a game-high 17 digs.
 
Makenzie Morgan and Sarah Kelly both had eight kills for UMD.
 
The Marauders now return home to host Bemidji State University on Oct. 27.
 
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