NDSU volleyball fell to Denver 3-1 in the Summit League Championship, ending their season with a 12-14 overall record. Ali Hinze led NDSU with a match-high 20 kills and 12 digs, marking her 11th double-double of the season. The match featured intense competition, with 20 tie scores and seven lead changes in the first set, which Denver won 30-28. Despite a strong second set by NDSU, Denver surged back to claim the next two, securing their place in the championship against South Dakota State.

By the Numbers
  • Ali Hinze had 20 kills and 12 digs for NDSU.
  • Denver finished with a 3-1 set victory, winning the final two sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-23.
Yes, But

The match highlighted NDSU's strong performance throughout the season but raised questions about consistency, given their 8-8 record in conference play.

State of Play
  • NDSU's season concludes with a challenging record as they advanced to the Summit League Championship for the third consecutive year.
  • Denver's victory positions them to face the top-seeded South Dakota State in the next round.
What's Next

Looking ahead, Denver will play South Dakota State, potentially impacting the championship landscape depending on the outcome of that match.

Bottom Line

NDSU’s exit from the tournament serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the Summit League, with future improvements needed to elevate their performance in the next season.