No. 14 NDSCS Sweeps No. 19 Bismarck State To Claim Region XIII Title

NDSCS Volleyball continued what has been a historic season with a 3-0 sweep of No. 19 Bismarck State College (17-4) on Wednesday, claiming the Region XIII championship – the program’s 15th regional title overall and fifth in the last seven years.

Eleven of those region championships have come under Jane Passa, who insists that the feeling never gets old. That is particularly the case with this group and all they’ve been able to accomplish in what has been a difficult 13 months.

“Each team is unique and every year it is their own unique story,” said Passa. “This group bought in early. They put in the work and as a result, they’ve been able to achieve their goals. I’m so proud of our depth and team work.  Tradition doesn't graduate at NDSCS.”

The Wildcats were dominant in the first set, a 25-14 win. In what would become a theme, NDSCS was able to own both sides of the net.

Sophomore Ally Gruber and freshman Bailee Brommenschenkel each finished with 12 kills. Brommenschenkel added seven blocks. Sophomore Kaitlyn Emmil added three blocks, as well as freshman Ashton Sagaser.

Their collective effort helped hold sophomore All-American Becca Nitsch to just 12 kills on 36 attacks, one of her lowest outputs of the season.

“We knew being aggressive at the net would be our strength tonight, both offensively and defensively,” said Passa.

NDSCS (20-1) was again rolling offensively with sophomore Kortney Carney adding an exclamation point to her case for Region Player of the Year by finishing with 35 assists and 13 digs.

“She has done a great job directing our offensive and being a great vocal leader,” said Passa. “She is so smart and she makes everyone better.”

Sophomore Katie Krieger finished with 19 digs, leaving her just 22 short of 1,000 for her career.

Bismarck State - who ended the Cats' season last year - finishes the season with just four losses, all of which came at the hands of NDSCS.

Up next for the Cats is a date with Region IX champion North Platte in the Northwest Plains District championship. The Knights are 13-13 this season. This is also the program NDSCS saw during 2018’s national tournament run.

While there isn’t much time to have a detailed scout, Passa is familiar with the Knights program.

“They typically have great outsides and blocking,” said Passa. “They will be a challenge as it should be to go to Nationals. There’s not much time to prepare, but we’ll be as ready as possible.

NDSCS will host North Platte at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 2.