DES MOINES, IOWA - The Drake University volleyball team earned a four set (25-19, 25-19, 18-25, 25-15) victory over North Dakota State, Sunday to become the first Drake team in the modern era (1995-present) to open the season 8-0.

"To reach that number is great," head coach Phil McDaniel said. "To do that, we have to be focused and maintain a high level of play."

Senior outside hitter Angela Bys (Marion, Iowa) notched her fifth-straight double-double with a game-high 16 kills while adding 12 digs.

"She's been steady," McDaniel added. "She's a rock for our offense, front row or back."

Senior libero Alana Wittenburg (Readlyn, Iowa) tallied a game-high 25 digs and added an assist.

"She's in the zone right now," McDaniel said. "She's reading attackers well and getting to balls that might normally hit the floor."

Drake opened the first set down, 4-0, early, but tied the game at 14 with help from two service aces by Bys and a devastating, crowd pleasing kill by sophomore middle blocker Emily Heffernen (Manchester, Iowa). The Bulldogs ended the first game on a 6-1 run fueled by six-straight errors by the Bison.

Senior Mikayla Sims (Waterloo, Iowa) put the second set away with one of her seven kills.

After a loss in game three, Drake ended game four on a 9-3 run with help from two kills each by senior Alisa DeBerg Roth (Hudson, Iowa) and junior Michelle Reidy (Dubuque, Iowa).

The Bison dropped to 2-4 overall.

Drake travels to Kansas City, Mo. on Tuesday to take on UMKC. Game time is at 7 p.m.