GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota (2-7, 2-5 Summit) fell in straight-sets to Summit League leader Kansas City (8-1, 8-1 Summit) on Sunday but rallied to close sets as the Roos opener the series with an 18-25, 18-25, 20-25 victory.

Lexi Ahrens and Taylor Riedl each notched seven kills, a solo block, and a service ace to record to combine for 18.5 points. Alexa Albinson added six kills while Sara Antic registered five. Defensively, Darian Chwialkowki led the Fighting Hawks with 14 kills, and Riedl recorded nine.

Runs and reviews dominated the opening frame, making for a 31-minute opening affair at The Betty. North Dakota responded to The Summit League leaders with 4-0 and 5-2 runs to cut its deficit to one and three during the set, but the Roos asserted their dominance to take the frame, 25-18.

Kansas City followed up its .333 hitting percentage in the first set with a .406 performance in the second frame. However, the Roos serving errors kept the Fighting Hawks alive and within reach. UND remained within a handful of KC until a final 4-1 run, featuring three kills, lifted the Roos to a 2-0 lead in the match with an identical 25-18 score.

It was a neck-and-neck third frame with Coach Jeremiah Tiffin and KC Head Coach Christi Posey challenging calls to keep momentum in their respective corners. The Roos built a four-point lead at the media break, 15-11, which allowed North Dakota time to collect themselves and go on a 4-1 run to make it a 16-15 match.

KC closed the match on a 9-5 run after calling a timeout and won the afternoon in three sets. The series will conclude on Monday, March 1, serving at 1 p.m. Central on UND Insider.