FARGO, N.D. – The University of North Dakota opened its season at a blistering pace in Fargo Friday afternoon, taking the opening set against North Dakota State. However, the Bison matched the Fighting Hawks' pace to defeat UND at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse, 25-16, 21-25, 14-25, 21-25.

Junior Lexi Ahrens finished with 12 kills and a .357 hitting percentage with three block assists. UND outblocked NDSU in the match, 7-3; however, the Fighting Hawks were 37 points behind Bison, who outhit UND, .191-.154. Sara Antic and Darian Chwialkowski also serve three aces in the match.

"I though we did a good job starting the match, executing our offense and keeping NDSU off-balance in that opening set, but we couldn't keep that rhythm in the second set," said Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin. "And give NDSU credit, they countered back and fought hard on their home court. We have some things to build off of to move forward tomorrow afternoon, we just need to keep working hard like we did today."

North Dakota's fast-paced offense was too much for North Dakota State to handle in the opening as the Fighting Hawk caught the Bison off guard as it attacked with furry. After forcing a timeout with a 7-2 lead, UND continued running for seven more points and eventually led, 21-9. The Fighting Hawks took the early 1-0 lead with a 25-16 first set victory for the fewest points allowed in the season-opening set since Aug. 26, 2011, against Dayton at the Country Inn and Suites Tournament in Green Bay, Wis.

While NDSU responded in the second set and commanded an early 10-5 lead, UND hung around with the Bison but could not overcome the three-point gap with match point on the line as NDSU evened the match, 25-21. The Bison's momentum continued into the third as it stormed to a 2-1 lead after commanding a 25-14 victory in the third set.

Ahrens was the Hawks' consistent threat in the middle in the first three sets, finishing with nine kills and an attacking percentage of .333. The Virginia, Minn., native also recorded a service ace and a block in the first three games.

In the final frame and its back against the wall, North Dakota and the Bison exchanged points and runs to keep the match within arms reach as neither team led by more than three points the entire frame. Even as the score climbed into the 20's, UND and NDSU maintained a 23-21 match in the Bison's favor. However, NDSU finished the game as Alexis Bachmeier – who tallied 17 kills – recorded the match's final two kills to clinch the season opener.

The Fighting Hawks will close the non-conference series with the Bison tomorrow afternoon at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse in Fargo at 1 p.m. Central.