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THIS WEEK
The North Dakota State volleyball team, currently holding a 10-11 overall record and a 6-6 mark in the Summit League, is gearing up to host South Dakota on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Following this home match, the Bison will face a formidable opponent, South Dakota State, who boasts an impressive 22-0 record and sits undefeated in the conference, traveling to Brookings for a showdown on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
MATCH COVERAGE
Fans can look forward to comprehensive match coverage for both games, featuring live statistics. For those who want to catch every action, matches will also be available for streaming on the Summit League Network for subscribers.
PROMOTIONS
The anticipated match against South Dakota will be themed as resident life night at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse, with the first 150 students enjoying complimentary NDSU lanyards as a special giveaway.
TICKETS
Tickets are now available for purchase, with general admission priced at $11 for adults and just $6 for youth aged 3-17, while reserved seating is available at $13. Match day tickets can be bought at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse or online at GoBison.com/tickets. Fans can enter the venue one hour before the game, and convenient free parking is provided in Visitors Lot E.
LAST TIME OUT
In a tough road match last Saturday, NDSU faced off against Denver and fell 3-0. Ali Hinze led the Bison efforts with a strong performance, tallying 13 kills, seven digs, and two service aces. Arianna Blohm added another nine kills, showcasing a remarkable .643 hitting percentage. Maddy Dombeck contributed with 15 assists and six digs, while Logan O’Brien recorded a team-high 12 digs alongside three assists.
THE SERIES VS. SOUTH DAKOTA
The upcoming match marks the 79th overall meeting between NDSU and South Dakota, dating back to 1978. The Bison currently hold a significant lead in the series, boasting a 53-25 record. In their last encounter earlier this season in Vermillion, NDSU mounted a valiant comeback after losing the first two sets but ultimately fell, 3-2. Notably, Ali Hinze excelled with a team-high 17 kills complemented by 10 digs, while Lauren Jansen contributed 14 kills with six digs.
THE SERIES VS. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
This matchup will represent the 109th all-time clash between NDSU and South Dakota State, with the Bison commanding the series at 83-25. Earlier this season, NDSU faced the Jackrabbits in Fargo, suffering a 3-0 defeat. Ali Hinze delivered a stellar performance, leading with 14 kills and logging 17 digs, two blocks, two assists, and a service ace. South Dakota State is currently receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 Poll and remains the only unbeaten team in NCAA Division I volleyball.
LOCKED IN FROM THE SERVICE LINE
NDSU has emerged as a dominant force at the service line within the Summit League, leading with an impressive average of 1.75 aces per set—ranking 48th nationally. They have recorded double-digit aces in six matches this season, highlighting their remarkable performance with a season-high of 16 aces achieved against St. Thomas on October 24. This total is the highest in the NDSU Division I era and stands as the second-most all-time for a five-set match. Lauren Jansen currently ranks third in the Summit League with a personal best of 33 aces this season.
RANDALL SETS NEW RECORD
Baily Randall showcased her skills by achieving a career-high of eight service aces in the victory over St. Thomas on October 24. This remarkable feat marked the highest number of aces recorded in a four-set match in NDSU history and is tied for the fifth-most in the same format across NCAA Division I volleyball this season. Randall has amassed a total of 25 aces throughout the current campaign.
SHE CAN DO IT ALL
Ali Hinze continues to set records, as she boasts the most kills in the NDSU Division I era with an impressive 1,709 total kills, placing her sixth on the all-time Bison kills list. As the season progresses, she stands 54 kills shy of surpassing Brenda Schultz (1987-90) for fifth place in Bison history. Janet Cobbs (1985-88) holds the all-time record with 2,091 career kills. In the realm of active NCAA Division I players, Hinze ranks an impressive 13th nationally for total career kills.
Hinze has also surpassed the notable milestone of 1,000 career digs, recording a total of 1,405 digs over her four seasons, ranking seventh on the Bison all-time list. She is now one of only two players in the NDSU Division I era to achieve both 1,000 career digs and 1,000 career kills, joining the elite company of Brynn Joki (2009-12).
BOLING HITTING AT EFFICIENT RATE
After sitting out the first three matches of the season, Alexis Boling has made a significant impact, participating in the last 18 games. She has quickly established herself as one of the most efficient players on the team, consistently boasting a hitting percentage of .300 or better in 11 matches, highlighted by a remarkable .467 hitting percentage against Denver on October 3.
PASSING IT AROUND
The Bison have utilized multiple players in the setter position this season, showcasing their versatility. Maddy Dombeck has made four starts and leads the team with an impressive 358 assists, while Emily Bruss has appeared as a starter in seven matches, contributing 217 assists. Eke Denessen has notched 210 assists, making 10 starts, including nine during Summit League competition.
ENDLESS DEFENSIVE ENERGY
Logan O’Brien has become a defensive cornerstone for the Bison, accumulating a remarkable 346 total digs this season, which ranks third in the Summit League. Recently, she crossed the significant milestone of 1,000 career digs, totaling 1,237 digs throughout her entire collegiate career. O’Brien began her journey at North Florida, contributing 201 digs over two seasons. In her last three years at NDSU, she has collected 1,036 digs, averaging an impressive 3.21 digs per set, placing her eighth on the all-time Bison digs per set list.
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Logan O’Brien earned recognition as the Summit League Defensive Peak Performer of the Week after delivering a stellar performance with a match-best and season-high of 26 digs along with five assists in NDSU’s triumph over St. Thomas on September 26. This outstanding display saw her averaging 6.50 digs per set, marking her third 20-dig match of the season.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYERS TO WATCH
NDSU’s senior leaders, outside hitter Ali Hinze and middle blocker Alexis Boling, have been acknowledged in the Summit League Players to Watch list. Hinze, who has been recognized with All-Summit League First Team honors for the past two seasons, is leading the Bison with 393 kills—ranking second in the Summit League. Boling, after registering a career-high 299 kills last season, continues to be a vital contributor on both offense and defense, averaging 2.77 kills per set and contributing 63 blocks in total.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
In the Summit League Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Bison were projected to finish fourth, receiving a total of 44 points. Omaha secured the top position with 64 points, including eight votes for first place.
STILL HIGH-POWERED ON OFFENSE
Demonstrating an impressive offensive prowess, the Bison ranked second in the Summit League in total kills for 2023, accumulating 1,492 kills. Key offensive returnees include five players with more than 170 kills last season, among them Ali Hinze (393), Alexis Boling (299), Ally Barth (190), Lauren Jansen (188), and Arianna Blohm (179). NDSU has consistently ranked among the top two teams in total kills in the Summit League over the past two seasons.
LOOKING BACK AT THE 2023 SEASON
Reflecting on the previous season, the Bison concluded with an 18-11 record (9-7 in Summit play), successfully advancing to the Summit League Tournament semifinal for the second consecutive year. This achievement marked the first back-to-back seasons of at least 18 wins for the Bison since the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
GRUNWALD JOINS COACHING STAFF
Kris Grunwald’s arrival on the coaching staff in March adds a wealth of experience, bringing 33 years of Division I coaching expertise, including head coaching roles at UConn from 2014-19 and Auburn from 1998-00. Grunwald joins NDSU after a successful tenure as the associate head coach at Virginia over the past three seasons.
EXPERIENCE IN THE LINEUP
The Bison boast a wealth of experience with the return of five starters this season, including five seniors: Eke Denessen, Ali Hinze, Alexis Boling, Logan O’Brien, and Morgan Middleton. O’Brien leads the roster with the most experience, having participated in 132 career matches, while Hinze has also surpassed the century mark, totaling 129 over her four seasons.
YOUNG BISON
In an effort to cultivate future talent, the Bison welcome five newcomers to their roster this season: Tanith Roush, Maddy Dombeck, Layla Haritatos, Sadie Johnson, and Emily Bruss. Additionally, underclassmen Arianna Blohm, Emma Tallman, and Lauren Jansen will be entering their sophomore seasons, with Blohm and Jansen being recognized as All-Summit League Freshmen Team members last season.
THIS IS OUR HOUSE
Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse has been the proud home of the Bison since 1978, where they have amassed an impressive 415-111 overall record. Notably, the program celebrated its 400th victory at the BBF after sweeping Kansas City 3-0 on October 1, 2022.
TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE CLASSROOM
The Bison have been recognized for their academic excellence, being awarded the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 12th consecutive year in 2023-24. Additionally, they earned a place on the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll, representing the top 20 percent of NCAA Division I teams, with an impressive cumulative GPA of 3.74 last season.
LOOKING AHEAD
NDSU will continue its exciting season when they host Kansas City on Saturday, November 16. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars, as the match is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
Ve key players who have made significant contributions in previous seasons. This strong returning core includes notable talents like Ali Hinze, Alexis Boling, and Arianna Blohm, who bring not only skills on the court but also leadership within the team. Their combined experience and competitive spirit are expected to drive the Bison as they navigate the challenges of the current season.
Hinze’s record-breaking tenure and her ability to elevate the team performance make her a vital asset, while Boling’s efficient hitting and defensive plays strengthen the overall team dynamic. The Bison’s depth in talent, along with ongoing support from their coaching staff, positions them to compete effectively in the Summit League and beyond.
As the season progresses, the Bison will continue to focus on improving their game strategy, enhancing communication on the court, and leveraging their previous experiences to secure victories against strong opponents in the league. Fans can look forward to an exciting season as NDSU aims to build on their past successes and pursue a strong finish in the league standings.
