GRAND FORKS, N.D. – In a must-win match to keep its postseason chances alive, the University of North Dakota (12-16, 4-10) improved to 5-0 in five-set matches this season to defeat South Dakota State (6-20, 3-11) at The Betty, 26-24, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 15-12. As a team, the Fighting Hawks hit over .200 in each set and posted 13.5 blocks in the match.
 
Four Fighting Hawks registered at least 10 kills for the first time in 2019 as Brynn Nieukirk and Taylor Riedl each posted 14 kills while four more Hawks tallied 10-or-more digs, paced by Darian Chwialkowski's 24.
 
Riedl, who registered a career-high in kills, recorded her first career double-double in the match as she finished with 13 digs. Ashley Brueggeman also notched a double-double as she tallied 13 kills and 17 digs.
 
"Our focus and preparation for this match was fantastic, and we pushed the throttle down, but we didn't adjust in the third and fourth sets to what South Dakota State was doing to try and finish it out," said Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin. "We adjusted in the fifth set and finished strong. We need to have that same focus and preparation on Tuesday down in Fargo against NDSU."
 
While the two teams played close with each other, North Dakota found itself in control of the match in the first two sets as they outhit the Jackrabbits in each set and forced a combined 12 errors. The Fighting Hawks looked to finish the match in the third set, recording five blocks as a team. However, SDSU snuck past UND in the set on an 8-3 run to take the frame, 25-23.
 
The Jacks took the fourth set in nail-biting fashion as well, 26-24; however, North Dakota took control in the fifth set and did not acquiesce its lead in the fifth set as it posted 10 kills in the frame.
 
The University of North Dakota will return to action Tuesday when it heads south to take on archrival North Dakota State University at 7 p.m., Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
 
NOTES: Today's match was the first time this season North Dakota had four players record at least 10 kills … Ashley Brueggeman moved to No. 8 in the all-time kills list at UND with 1,178 … The Fighting Hawks improved to 5-0 in five-set matches this season … Peyton Sewell recorded a career-high 53 assists … North Dakota's 13.5 blocks were its highest total since the Hawks recorded 18 against The Citadel on Sept. 13 … The Fighting Hawks eight service aces was their highest total in a Summit League match this season … UND's .257 hitting percentage marked the third time in league play that it hit over .250 in a match … Madi Hart recorded 11 digs off the bench and was the only non-starter to reach 10-or-more digs.