FARGO, N.D. - Matched up again in less than a 20-hour turnaround, Western Illinois volleyball (0-13, 0-12) and North Dakota State (8-4, 6-4) went at it once more on the Bison's home floor during Saturday evening (March 6). A head-to-head third set showcased some of the match's most exciting moments, as the home team won 3-0 (14-25, 18-25, 24-26).

NDSU jumped out 6-1 in the first before Mariah Mitchell and Emma Norris helped get Western's offense up and running. Two more Leatherneck kills and a Bison error squashed the lead down to 8-6, but NDSU ran off a 6-1 spree. After scoring three more straight out of a timeout, Aubrey Putman rattled her first kill to start a 3-0 WIU run. However, five consecutive points went to NDSU, and a final 6-0 push ended the opening set, 25-14. 

A handful of attacking errors by both sides occurred in set two's first possessions, with NDSU leading 7-3. Putman and Kennedy Davis helped keep the Leathernecks in it, and a Peyton Bowman hammer had the team only down 16-13. Cassie Hunt and Jessie Connell both gave WIU service aces while Davis remained a threat on the attacking end - totaling four kills in the period. The Bison kept its distance in the scoring difference by a small stretch and ended the frame on a final service ace, 25-18.

NDSU struggled with five early errors in set three, as Western took an 11-4 advantage. The Leathernecks' hitters stayed motivated, and a second Connell service ace increased the team's lead to 16-8. Mitchell reeled in another point for her squad, but three consecutive WIU errors called for a regroup. Mitchell stepped out of the break to tally a far-reached attack, this time down the middle. Bowman upped the lead to 21-16, but NDSU spurted on a quick 3-0 run to force another floor break. The Bison scored four more times next, capped off by back-to-back service aces to reach set point. Davis came through with a clutch kill, tying things at 24. Nevertheless, NDSU succeeded twice more to escape the set with a series sweep, 26-24.

Norris and Davis both finished with seven kills, which tied as a season-high for the latter. Connell was a spark as a substitute - leading the Leathernecks in assists (12) and aces (2). Putman added ten digs and five kills. Likewise to the series opener, WIU tied with NDSU in blocks (6). Four of those rejections were credited to Bowman.

WIU's 'bye week' gives the team a break from competition for the next 12 days. Two more regular-season series remain, starting with the Leathernecks hosting North Dakota March 19-20.