FLORENCE, AL -- The Fighting Sioux volleyball team lost their first game of the season to Ashland University 3-0. Ashland improves its season record to 1-0 while UND drops to 0-1.

In the first game, UND and Ashland were tied at 18-18 before Ashland went on a 12-4 run to seal the game. In the second game, UND rallied from a six-point deficit to tie up Ashland at 27-27. The two teams would trade points until Ashland pulled away late, taking the game two victory, 35-33. After being tied 14-14 in game three, Ashland used a 6-1 run to seal the three-game victory.

Leading the way for the Sioux offense was sophomore Britta Hanson (Thompson, N.D.). Hanson finished the match with nine kills on 27 attack attempts. Senior Mary Blume (Herman, Minn.) and sophomore Amanda Polzin (Hutchinson, Minn.) each added seven kills to the UND attack. Junior setter Allison Louwagie (Marshall, Minn.) tallied 24 set assists in the contest.

Defensively, the Sioux were led by sophomore Ashley Holmen (Berthold, N.D.). Holmen had nine digs in the contest. Hanson and freshman Courtney Halvorson (Oklee, Minn.) each recorded six digs.

North Dakota will return to action at the North Alabama classic at 2 p.m. (CST) against Northern Kentucky.