GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota had three players record 10-or-more kills, led by match-leader Ashley Brueggeman, who tallied 18 kills as North Dakota State defeated the Fighting Hawks in four sets, 22-25, 26-24, 20-25, 23-25. UND outhit NDSU, .212-.199.
 
"We had some high-highs tonight, and I like what I saw when we had that momentum," said Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin. "If we play every match the way we played in those final eight points of the fourth set, there's not a team in The Summit League that can beat us."
 
Brueggeman also tallied 17 digs for her second-straight double-double. Lydia Rutten and Lexi Ahrens added 12 and 11 kills, respectively, while Ahrens led the team with four blocks. Darian Chwialkowski led all defenders in the match with 25 digs and was supported by Madi Hart (13) in the backline, who tallied eight in the fourth set alone.
 
While the two teams traded blows and runs throughout the match, UND found itself trailing by eight points at match point in the fourth set, 24-16.
 
With Hart on the serve, North Dakota went on a 7-0 run to force North Dakota State to use both of its timeouts in the frame. The Fighting Hawks scored after each timeout and brought the match to within one point, 24-23, but NDSU scored the final point after an errant touch to take the set and the game, 25-23.
 
UND opened the second set on a 12-2 run, but NDSU closed the gap and even tied the match at 24 apiece. However, the Hawks stood resolute as Sara Antic served the final two games of the set as the Bison committed back-to-back attacking errors to tie the match at intermission.
 
The win was North Dakota State's first-ever win at The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center and its first win in Grand Forks since 2003.
 
UND is now 9-11 on the season with a 1-5 clip in The Summit League. North Dakota State picked up its third win in conference play and improved to 8-11.
 
UND will close the week on Friday night when it plays at Oral Roberts. First serve is set for 7 p.m. Central.