The No. 13 Minnesota Volleyball team (9-2) defeated Ball State (3-6) 30-17, 30-20 and 30-25 in its second match of the Nike Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 14.
In the first game, Minnesota jumped out to a 16-11 lead. From that point, the Golden Gophers scored eight of the next 10 points to go up 24-13. Minnesota moved on to a 30-17 win in game one.
The Golden Gophers went up 16-9 early to lead in game two and did not look back as it moved to a 2-0 lead with a 30-20 win. Erin Martin (Ames, Iowa) led the way with six kills in the game, as the Golden Gophers held Ball State to an anemic .073 hitting percentage.
Minnesota climbed to a 24-17 lead and moved on to the 30-25 victory to take the match. The Golden Gophers hit .643 in the game and committed just one attack error.
Martin led the way with 14 kills and hit .650 for the match. She has 24 kills in 41 attempts and has only committed one error in her two matches in the Nike Invitational. Cassie Busse (Prior Lake, Minn.) had 12 kills, five digs, five service aces and three service aces. Lindsey Vander Well (Prinsburg, Minn.) had 43 assists, four kills and five digs, while Paula Gentil (Forteleaza Ceara’, Brazil) had a match high 12 digs. Lisa Axel (Buffalo, Minn.) also had three service aces.
The Golden Gophers hit a season-high .469 and had a season-low seven errors. Minnesota held Ball State to a .183 hitting percentage for the match.
Ball State was led by Sarah Obras who had 13 kills. Katie Butts also had 10 kills for the Cardinals.
In the first match No. 20 North Carolina (7-0) remained undefeated by defeating Oregon State (5-2) 3-1 by scores of 30-18, 25-30, 30-28 and 30-27.
North Carolina was led by Laura Greene who had 15 kills and 19 digs. Malaika Underwood also had 10 kills and 14 digs. Megan McMillan led the way for Oregon State with 20 kills and 10 digs.
Minnesota will face No. 20 North Carolina tonight in the final match of the Nike Invitational at 7:30 p.m. In the first match of the evening, Ball State will challenge Oregon State at 5 p.m.
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