BOX SCORE

DULUTH, Minn. - Senior outside hitter Kate Lange neared a triple-double as the University of Minnesota Duluth defeated Southwest Minnesota State University in straight sets in the NCAA II Central Regional Semifinals at Romano Gym Saturday. UMD swept SMSU by set scores of 25-18, 25-22, and 25-18.

"I thought UMD was the better team," head coach Terry Culhane summed up. "They just did things better than we did and put pressure on us all night long."

Lange led all Bulldogs (33-2) with 18 kills and eight blocks while also hauling in nine digs on the night. UMD finished with 10 total blocks on the night and 53 digs, holding Southwest Minnesota to a slim .112 attack percentage.

SMSU finished the match with 21 errors on 116 attacks. McKell Anderson led all Mustangs with just nine kills.
"We couldn't stay consistent enough to get [UMD] out of their comfort zone," said Culhane.

UMD's 10 total blocks (20 block assists) contributed to SMSU's low hitting percentage and 21 hitting errors. "[UMD] did a good job of blocking and at times we didn't do a very good job of hitting around the block," added Culhane. Ultimately, when teams block that well, usually it has got to do with you not being able to pass the ball very well."

Three Mustangs tallied double-digit dig totals – Whitney Burmeister (12), McKell Anderson (11), and Rachel Westby (11).

"Tonight we fell short," said senior libero Rachel Westby – who played her final game in a Mustang uniform. "[Making the NCAA tournament] meant a lot to our team to be here and we certainly don't take it for granted. It has been a fun four years. I have been in the [NCAA Tournament] every year that I have played, which is something that not everyone can say. I learned a lot at SMSU, I learned a lot about hard work…I wouldn't have wanted to play for another program."

SMSU ends its season with an overall record of 24-8, marking the 11th straight season with at least 20 match wins.

Minnesota Duluth advances to take on NSIC rival and six-time defending NCAA champion Concordia-St. Paul in the NCAA Central Region final.