GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Despite tying the match 13 times thanks to seven service aces, the University of North Dakota volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Denver on Tuesday afternoon, 22-25, 18-25, 22-25.

"I thought that game came down to a couple of plays in each set," said Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin. "Whether it was a miscommunication on our part or just keeping the ball in play. The scores were close in two of the three sets, and those two to three plays make all the difference in the world."

Sara Antic, Ashley Brueggeman and Lydia Rutten each posted six kills in the match to lead UND, while Antic, Brueggeman and Darian Chwialkowski each registered two service aces.

The Fighting Hawks rallied back from a seven-point deficit in the first set as it trailed 19-12. A 6-0 closed the gap to one point, where the set resided until Denver closed it out with a 25-22 victory.

While North Dakota hit its best clip in the opening frame (.225), Denver posted its best hitting percentage in the second set with a .324 average to take a 2-0 lead in the match, 25-18.

Service was the Hawks strong suit in the final frame as it tallied four service aces and forced Denver into low-attacking percentage chances as it recorded three blocks. Taylor Riedl, who shared the team-high with Rutten, posted all three of her blocks in the match in the final set.

With eight ties and two lead changes in the third set alone, DU built the largest lead of the frame late, 23-18, and eventually won, 25-22.

UND will return to action Saturday, Oct. 26, when it hosts Omaha at The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. First serve is set for 11 a.m.