Thursday, November 20
12:00 p.m. - Gangelhoff Center - St. Paul, Minn.
No. 3 seed #15 Minnesota Duluth (25-8) vs. No. 6 seed #24 Wayne State (Neb.) (23-10)
BOX SCORE

RECAP: ST. PAUL, Minn. - The third seed, #15 Minnesota Duluth (25-8) advanced in a closely fought four set match over the sixth seed, #24 Wayne State (Neb.), a 25-21, 25-21, 22-25, and 25-22 on Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Central Region Quarterfinals played at Gangelhoff Center on the campus of Concordia University, St. Paul.

The Bulldogs were led by a pair of hitters, Sarah Wyfells with 21 kills and Jamie Lakatos and her 19 kills. The duo were set by Katie Gangelhoff, who led a Bulldog attack that hit .236 for the match behind her 60 assists. Gangelhoff also provided nine digs and three blocks.

UMD's defense held a 19 dig advantage over the Wildcats (74-55) with Rachel Jacobson producing a match-high 17 with three other Bulldogs in double-digits. Wayne State, meanwhile, had just one player reach double-figures with Meredy Dubbs' 11.

The Wildcats were led offensively by Lea Hartigan and her 18 kills. She was set by Diedra Artz with 44 assists for the match.

Minnesota Duluth advances to the regional semifinal round where they will face the winner of the No. 2 seed Southwest Minnesota State and the No. 7 seed Metro State College.

Match Notes: This was Wayne State's fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA regionals (1-4, lone first-round win was in 2006) ... WSC was 2-8 against ranked opponents this season ... WSC was 4-3 in four-set matches in 2008. 

Press Conference Video:

MINNESOTA DULUTH QUOTES:
Head Coach Jim Boos
Opening Statement: “It was a grind of a match.  The first two games were an absolute battle.  Wayne State matches up really well against us.  They’re a scrappy team, they find ways to score points against us.  This was a scrappy win for us.”

On playing Wayne State three times: “There were a few things we tried to do.  At times we did a good job of defending and slowing things down.  We were getting a lot of good deflections which gave us some real good swings.  All four games could have gone in any direction.”

Boos commenting on experience of Gangelhoff and Wyffels: “It is critical.  When you’re younger you’ve got the players to bail you out, now it was up to Katie and Sarah.  Katie really stepped it up in the fourth game and Sarah is someone who we need to balls away.  There’s no panic with these players."

Senior setter Katie Gangelhoff
Gangelhoff commenting young teammates: “We have a young group this year.  We have nothing to lose, there’s no pressure and there isn’t a target on our back.”

Senior middle hitter Sarah Wyffels
Wyffels commenting on tight games: “We’ve had various lineups this season and I think now we have who we need out there during tight games.”

WAYNE STATE QUOTES:
Head Coach Scott Kneifl:
On his team: "I'm extremely proud of our team effort throughout the season. People didn't expect a lot out of this team and I couldn't be more proud of them."

On today's game: "Duluth dug a lot of balls today. We created holes in their block with our offense but they kept the ball in play. They're ball handling and defense was difference."

On the changes between the two teams in their three meetings this season: "The lineups have changed quite a bit for both teams. I thought our block was pretty good but they outdug us. That gave them more swings and they put the ball away with a better efficiency."

On the play of UMD's Katie Gangelhoff and Sarah Wyffels: "Both of them are great players. Katie runs the show and they have a sense of calm with her out there. They get a better second ball put up. Sarah is as athletic as they come at this level. She's a real high flyer who can put the ball away."

On WSC's fourth consecutive NCAA appearance: "Getting here four times is a compliment to the players. This group dedicated itself last spring and set high goals for themselves. Unfortunately, we didn't reach all of those goals but, at same time, this group is on its way up. Our ultimate goal is reaching the Elite Eight and having a chance at a national championship. We didn't have the star player this year but we have a good group of players who will be here for several more years."

Senior outside hitter Danielle Wessel:
On the evolution of being in four consecutive regionals: "When you come in the first time you're nervous because it's all new. Now you know what to expect. I had high hopes coming in here this and though we would do well."

Sophomore outside hitter Lea Hartigan:
On being part of a young team: "We're an extremely competivie group. We were all top players in our class in high school and now we all have to battle for spots. Any of us can play on any given day. You have to be competitive every day on this team."

MATCH PHOTOS (click to enlarge)

Minnesota Duluth	Wayne State