FARGO, N.D. - A slow start to its non-conference finale cost the University of North Dakota (0-2) at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse as North Dakota State's (2-0) early momentum carried the Bison to a three-set victory, 12-25, 18-25, 21-25.

While Taylor Riedl, who finished the afternoon with a team-high eight kills and a .240 hitting percentage, the Fighting Hawks found a rhythm offensively in the second and third set with freshman Elizabeth Norris at setter. Norris finished with three kills, 11 assists, and an ace in the final two sets of play

"I thought we did a good job of playing physical at the net and forcing NDSU to place their attacks, but a well-coached team is going to take advantage of those opportunities and they did that today," said Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin. 

"On the positive side I was happy with our service later in the match, and thought it set up our offense well and it allowed us to play our style of volleyball. Elizabeth did a nice job running the offense in her first significant action of the season and I thought Taylor was very solid at the net today and she really showed what she brings to this team athletically."

NDSU posted hitting percentages of .406 and .323 in the first and second set, respectively, to record an impressive team average of .365. Despite the strong clip, UND still recorded three blocks against the Bison offense in the first two sets as Lexi Arenas, Alexa Albinson, and Kelly Wahl each recorded solo stops.

The Fighting Hawks offense hit .259 in the second set and only committed 14 attacking errors on the afternoon. In the final frame, UND forced 10 Bison attacking errors and disrupted NDSU's offense to the tune of .091 on the attack.

Ahrens hit .294 for the Fighting Hawks and tallied six kills with two solo blocks. Abi McGlynn, who started the final two sets of the match, registered four kills and was flawless on the return with 18 attempts.

The University of North Dakota will open Summit League play next weekend when it heads to Tulsa to take on Oral Roberts on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Mabee Center.