Season-High Kills Not Enough as Mastodons Fall

Friday, October 18

Fargo, N.D.

8 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

10-12 (2-4)

North Dakota State

2-17 (2-4)

Fort Wayne

North Dakota State

Photo by: Lucas Carter

Season-High Kills Not Enough as Mastodons Fall

10/18/2013 10:46:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (.pdf) | BOX SCORE (.html)

FARGO, N.D. - Despite a season-high 65 kills as a team, the IPFW Mastodons dropped a hard fought match on the road to North Dakota State 3-1 (28-26, 25-22, 15-25, 25-22). The 'Dons record now sits at 10-12 overall and 2-4 in the Summit League.

Emily Spencer ended the night with a game-high 24 kills, her second most on the season, hitting .375 with seven digs and three blocks. Kendall Wienkes finished the night with her second double-double of the season with 13 kills and 11 digs while Sarah Heckman finished the night with a season-high 12 kills.

The opening set was a back-and-forth battle between the two sides as they exchanged seven lead changes and fought through 13 ties. After the 'Dons fell behind early, they were able to rally back to tie it 11-11. IPFW would take the lead late in the set at 23-21, but the Bison went on a rally of their own as they closed out the set by taking three of the final four points. Spencer put down nine kills in the first set alone, her most in a single set since she accomplished the feat twice against Northern Illinois on September 20.

In the second set, the Mastodons would take an early lead before NDSU tied it a 3-3. The Bison would then score the next two points to take a lead they would never relinquish. The 'Dons fought hard as they rallied back from being down several times in the set, tying it midway through the match at 15-15, but were unable to get the lead back. IPFW hit an astounding .472 for the set, their highest of the season for a single set since hitting .483 against Cleveland St. in the first set of their match back on September 7.

Coach Kelley Hartley Hutton had the 'Dons fired up coming out the intermission, as they quickly jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the third, forcing the Bison to take an early timeout. NDSU would score the next three points, before the Mastodons ended the rally. IPFW wouldn't allow the Bison to get any closer as they led by as many as nine points before closing out the set.

North Dakota State took opening point of the fourth set before IPFW score the next three to lead early on. The Bison would attempt to make a rally, but the Mastodons put an end to their hopes midway through. Late in the set, NDSU would score three straight points to break a 20-20 tie. The 'Dons would stave off the Bison first set match, but were unable to make a late rally.

Hailie Ripley tied a season-high with seven blocks while adding six kills. Madison Spence dished out a game-high 48 assist while notching her eighth double-double of the year adding 11 digs. Jen Milligan would lead the Mastodons with a match-high 17 digs.

As a team, the 'Dons hit .309 from the floor to go along with their 65 kills and 11 blocks. The loss was their first of the season when out-hitting their opponents as the Bison hit .303 as a team.

The Mastodons now travel to South Dakota State on Saturday, October 19 for an 8 p.m. match.

~Feel the Rumble~