Oct. 30, 1999

The Wolves fought, scratched and clawed to the end with one of the nation's best teams, but came up short 16-14, 13-15, 16-14, 15-10 to Minnesota-Duluth (ranked 19th in NCAA II) Saturday afternoon in the Barnett Center.

Before the match, seniors Alana Kiehn (Carlton, Minn.) and Jean Kringstad (Aberdeen) were honored for their stellar careers in what would be their last home match in a Wolves uniform.

The seniors didn't disappoint, with Kiehn getting her sixth double-double of the year with 11 kills and 19 digs. Kringstad moved into third on NSU's all-time kills list (passing former teammate Tammy Mademann's 1,112 career kills) during the match, ending the day with 14 kills and six blocks.

In a match featuring a slew of side-outs throughout, NSU hung with UMD blow-for-blow in the first and third games before falling by 16-14 scores in games that could have went either way. Junior setter Tricia Schilling (Valley City, N.D.) paced NSU with 48 assists, 13 kills and 19 digs. Freshman outside hitter Stephanie Tschetter (Huron) joined Kringstad for the team's kills lead with 14 to go along with 20 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Bottomley (Rapid City) led the dig charge with a match-high 23 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Roxy Wolf (Apple Valley, Minn.) cranked a match-high four service aces.

If NSU's last homestand proved anything, it was this team is much better than its 9-17 record indicates. Just ask the conference leaders in Bemidji State and Duluth.