NDSCS Sweeps Bismarck State To Move Atop Mon-Dak Standings

No. 20 North Dakota State College of Science picked up its biggest win of the young season, dropping Mon-Dak rival N0. 19 Bismarck State College in an impressive 3-0 sweep Monday at Ed Werre Arena in Wahpeton.

While it’ll go down as a sweep, it was a competitive match throughout.

The Wildcats took the first set 25-17 but were pushed to the brink in sets two and three, nabbing 25-23 and 25-21 set wins.

Monday showed just how scary this young team can be when firing on all cylinders.

Sophomore Lily Pyle put down a team-high 12 kills, classmate Lexi Hansch handed out 22 assists (11 digs) and freshman Katie Krieger continued her steady back row play with 27 digs.

Krieger was just one of several freshmen to make a major impact.

Miah Gessell recorded 12 digs and five kills, Ally Gruber added five kills and four blocks and Annika Frost had 16 assists. Marisa Garza was able to come off the bench and add three huge blocks.

As a team, NDSCS refused to let balls hit the ground, tallying a three-set season-high of 73 digs.

Most importantly is what the win did for the Wildcats moving forward.

BSC entered Monday as the only unbeaten team in conference play after sweeping Miles CC last week. Monday’s loss forced a three-way tie atop the conference standings between NDSCS, BSC and Miles with all three owning wins over each other.

Now all three teams are essentially even with a month left in the regular season as they continue to jockey for conference position and the right to host the Region 13 Tournament.

Opposing teams would prefer that site isn’t in Wahpeton, where NDSCS has won 81 of its last 90 games dating back to 2013.

The Wildcats will return to action on Wednesday at Mayville State in nonconference action. NDSCS will return home on Oct. 4 against Minnesota State – Fergus Falls.