Box Score MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State University volleyball team welcomed the No. 2 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs into the Minot State Dome for "Dig Pink" Night on Friday night.

In their second straight game against a NCAA Division II top 10 team, the Beavers (7-10 overall, 3-5 NSIC) could not hang with the high octane offense of the Bulldogs (17-1 overall, 7-1 NSIC) as they fell in straight sets 25-19, 25-16, 25-12.

"Hats off to Duluth," said Minot State head coach Travis Ward. "They are a really good program. They executed extremely well tonight. They forced us into situations that put a lot of pressure on us as a team, and when you've got a good team like that against you it's tough to win."

The first set started well for MISU as they built an early 10-7 lead, forcing an early timeout from UMD head coach Jim Boos. After the timeout, energy levels were still high for Minot State as they hung around and trailed just 16-18 late in the set.

"We passed really well and we were able to run three options out of our offense," said Ward. "We did a nice job setting our middles early in the match but then we saw UMD really pick away at that."

A combination of Beaver errors and UMD kills turned the match towards Minnesota Duluth as the Bulldogs went on a 7-2 run to win the first set.

In set two, it was all UMD as they hit .538 with 14 kills and zero errors. For MISU, it was the complete opposite as they committed 11 errors on 33 attempts for a -.030 hitting percentage. The third and final set, it was more of the same, as the Bulldogs outhit Minot State .353 to .000.

Two-time NCAA Division II All-American and NSIC Preseason Player of the Year Kate Lange led the Bulldogs with 19 kills while Monica Turner pitched in with nine kills in just 13 attempts.

Minot State was led by Mallory Sall (So., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) and Lauren Dunkle (Fr., OH, Aurora, Colo.) who both notched eight kills in the loss. Setters Brooke French (Fr., Lethbridge, Alberta) and Emily Byrne (Jr., Reno, Nev.) recorded 14 assist and 12 assists, respectively.

"Our conference is tough top to bottom," said Ward. "We've got a good chance to compete with a good St. Cloud team, who is a little more down to earth for us. When we get in those rallies we just need make smart decisions."

The Beavers will look to put a stop to their two-game NSIC skid as they host St. Cloud State University (11-5 overall, 5-3 NSIC) Saturday night in the Minot State Dome beginning at 7 p.m.