Volleyball

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Volleyball Release: November 13, 2006
UMD Moves to Sports Festival, Elite Eight

Minnesota Duluth captured their second NCAA North Central Regional Championship with a four game win over Concordia-St. Paul. The Bulldogs advance to their second NCAA Elite to face the Pacific Region winner UC San Diego Thursday at the DII Fall Sports Festival.

The Golden Bears took the first game in convincing fashion and appeared to be headed to their third Elite Eight in four years with a 30-22 win. But Minnesota Duluth reversed the momentum by taking the next three games 30-25, 30-25, 30-19 as they stifled the Concordia attack.

"It was a 15-player win tonight. The bench was really into the match and everyone on the team contributed to this victory" said head coach Jim Boos on the balanced team effort.

The Bulldogs had five players with at least 12 kills in the match led by Whitney Meierotto's career-high 18; she also had a double-double with 14 digs.

"We kept the team in system. Katie (Gangelhoff) did a great job keeping us in system all night. She had a great night, she proved tonight that she has matured," said Boos on having five players reach 12 kills or more.

On the other side of the net, Concordia senior Jessica Lucia had a match-high 21 kills and 18 digs to lead the Golden Bears for her 22nd double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced Bulldogs

"They came back fighting and we couldn't bring the momentum back," Lucia said when commenting on UMD taking the final three games.

The Bears, who were out-killed 74-57 for the match, had two other players reach double-figures as senior Kelsey Kyro had 13 kills and sophomore Maria Steinhagen had 10 kills. Kyro had six blocks (two solo) and hit .367 while Steinhagen hit a match-high .600 with just one error in 15 hitting attempts.

The Concordia defense was busy with five players recording at least nine digs as the Bears held a 75-64 advantage in digs. Lucia and senior Megan Graham each had match-highs with 18 while setter Maggie McNamara had 15. The other two Bears with at least nine digs were freshman Mary Slinger and senior Ashley Olson with 10 and nine, respectively.

Joining Whitney Meierotto in double-digit kills were Kari Wolford with 15, Vicky Braegelmann with 14, Rachel Langseth with 13 and Sarah Wyfells with 12. Wyfells hit a team-high .480 as she was error-free in 25 attempts.

Sophomore setter Katie Gangelhoff, who kept the Golden Bear blockers off balance, dished out 62 assists and added seven digs, an ace and a pair of kills.

The UMD defense featured four players in double-digit digs led by three players with 14, W.Meierotto, Wolford and Chelsea Meierotto while Crystal Hoffrogge added 10.

UMD outblocked a Golden Bear squad that totaled a season-high 20 blocks the previous night. The final block total was 10-9 in favor of the Bulldogs.

-- Courtesy Concordia-St. Paul