OMAHA, Neb. – Mikaela Purnell came up with a career-high 36 digs, Erika Gelzinyte matched her career best with 18 kills and Brianna Rasmusson filled out the box score as North Dakota State defeated Omaha 3-1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-15, 29-27) in a Summit League match played Sunday, Nov. 12, before a crowd of 852 in Sapp Fieldhouse. The Bison evened their road record to 5-5.
 
NDSU finished the regular season with an 18-8 record overall including 9-5 in the Summit League. The Bison are the No. 4 seed in the upcoming Summit League tournament in Denver and play Omaha at 4 p.m. CT Friday, Nov. 17.
 
In a battle to the finish, North Dakota State and Omaha were tied 17 times and the lead changed hands on nine occasions. McKenzie Burke delivered kill to put the Bison ahead 28-27 and Abbi Klos served up an ace to decide the set and the match.
 
After dropping the first set, North Dakota State's offense found its stride especially in the second set, hitting .406 with 15 kills and only two errors in 32 attacks. NDSU outhit Omaha .241 to .137 overall.
 
Purnell led the NDSU with a career and match-high 36 digs. She reached 30-plus digs for the third straight match and for 10^th time in career. Klos finished with 14 digs
 
Rasmusson proved to be a multi-purpose threat with 38 assists, 14 digs, seven kills, six blocks and a pair of service aces. Rasmusson has 15 'double-doubles' this season and 50 in her career. She had plenty of options on offense as Burke had 12 kills and Allie Mauch claimed eight.
 
Abby Bergsten led Omaha with 11 kills, while Sydney O'Shaughnessy finished with 39 assists and seven kills. Claire Mountjoy pocketed 33 digs, while Bella Sade added five blocks.