FARGO, N.D. - Stepping into an energy-filled gymnasium for its final road visit of the regular season, Western Illinois volleyball (0-12, 0-11) faced North Dakota State (7-4, 5-4) on Friday evening (March 5). A few Leathernecks made the most of their opportunities during the competition, but NDSU corralled a 3-0 victory (23-25, 19-25, 18-25).
Cassie Hunt achieved a special feat to add to her Leatherneck resume - pushing past 1,000 career assists. The senior setter has been a valuable asset all season long, leading WIU in that category by a notable margin (311).
"Cassie plays such an important role for us… I'm very happy for her and will continue to rely on her being the team veteran that she indeed is," said WIU head coach Ben Staupe.
Three consecutive attacking errors by NDSU led to Western going ahead 4-3 early in the first. However, the Bison succeeded on three kills and a service ace to take control, 7-4. Aubrey Putman wasted no time in her attacking game, helping make it a 9-9 tie. Emma Norris also caught fire quickly during the set, totaling four kills in a short span. Two more attacks from Putman evened the scoring at 22, and Mariah Mitchell answered right afterward on a left-handed throw. NDSU took a timeout and blocked an attempt immediately after a WIU error. The Leathernecks signaled to talk things one more time before a final Bison kill ended the period, 25-23.
The two teams continued to test each other in set two, as Norris tied it, 6-6. NDSU revved up a small run to leap ahead 14-8, leading to a WIU timeout. Putman and Kennedy Davis stayed aggressive for the Leathernecks, and the team cut the advantage down to 19-15 after four straight scores. Putman handed out kills in back-to-back fashion soon after, but the Bison made just enough plays down the stretch to take a 25-19 win.
Abby Knoop checked onto the floor for WIU and opened set three with two kills. A third strike by the senior had WIU trailing 9-6. NDSU scored a couple more times, and Mitchell attacked hard to keep the Leathernecks still narrowly behind, 13-11. Knoop continued her steady senior presence by netting two more kills in a row and helping tie the score, 16-16. The Bison, however, initiated a 5-1 run and scored their last three chances to secure the match win in three sets.
Putman put up 11 kills and 11 digs for her second double-double in the last three matches. Norris added six kills, and Knoop had five - all of which arrived in the third set. Erika Moore's team-leading 12 digs were her second-highest total of the season. Hunt dished out 25 assists, including seven digs. Mitchell and Davis notched two blocks each.
The action in Fargo continues tomorrow (March 6) at 5 p.m. inside the Scheels Center.
