BROOKINGS, S.D. – A quartet of Fighting Hawks recorded eight-plus kills for the University of North Dakota (2-11, 2-9 Summit) in Brookings Friday night, but South Dakota State (4-10, 4-9 Summit) took the series opener and outlasted UND, 25-27, 20-25, 23-25.

Lexi Ahrens and Sara Antic registered 10 kills and 11 kills, respectively, while Alexa Albinson and Taylor Riedl each tallied eight kills. Albinson also hit .333 with zero errors and a team-best three blocks. Darian Chwialkowski finished with 22 digs (7.33 per set).

The opening set went to deuce as the Fighting Hawks and Jackrabbits traded runs as each team looked to breakaway. SDSU rebounded after each of their timeouts, tying the match at 12 and 22 in both instances to stymy the Hawks. Despite UND outhitting the Jackrabbits, .192-.189, South Dakota State took the early lead in the match.

The Jackrabbits took a two-set advantage as they continued their great service, tallying another three service aces to give SDSU six total aces heading into the final set. UND again outhit South Dakota State in the frame, .220-.212, while only committing two errors on the attack.

Both Ahrens and Antic both reached double figures in kills in the final frame as Antic tallied four in the period and Ahrens registered three. The Fighting Hawks picked up its service return play, allowing just one ace in the third set. UND rallied from a four-point deficit, 22-18, but could not complete the rally to force a fourth set as it dropped its second deuce set, 25-23.

UND will return to action tomorrow night, closing the series with South Dakota State at 7 p.m. Central. Fans can watch the match live on Jackrabbits All Access.