BROOKINGS, S.D. – The University of North Dakota (2-12, 2-10 Summit) went the distance with South Dakota State (5-10, 5-9 Summit) at Frost Arena, rallying back from an opening set loss to take a 2-1 lead in the match. However, the Jackrabbits overpowered UND in the fourth and fifth to clinch the series, 16-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-25, 12-15.

Lexi Ahrens recorded a career-high 20 kills while hitting .302 in the process, while Darian Chwialkowski registered a career-high defensively with 34 digs. Peyton Sewell dished a season-high 42 assists and added four service aces and four kills.  Alexa Albinson hit .346 with 11 kills and two solo blocks to her credit as well.

After South Dakota State cruised to a 25-16 first set victory, the Fighting Hawks rallied back in the second set on the shoulders of Ahrens, who finished with 12 kills in the first two sets and a .409 hitting percentage.

UND limited their errors as the match went on, opening with six attacking errors in the first set and following up with three errors in the second set. North Dakota's offense also began to force the Jackrabbits into attacking errors as the match went on, forcing five in the second set and six more in the third.

While the Fighting Hawks hit .244 in the second set 25-19 to even the match at a set apiece, they hit their stride in the third frame with a .366 attacking clip, tallying 16 kills and one error to win in deuce, 25-23, and take a 2-1 lead.
The Jackrabbits used a 10-1 run to open the fourth set to force a fifth set, tying the match with a 25-15 triumph in the set.

Both teams traded runs in the fifth set as North Dakota started with a 6-3 run to start the match, paving the way for SDSU to take a 10-8 lead and force UND to take a timeout. The Hawks rallied with their backs against the wall, rallying from a 14-9 deficit to a 14-12 score. However, the Jackrabbits prevailed to sweep the series with the 15-12 fifth set victory.

Sara Antic added nine kills and career-high 16 digs, while fellow outside hitter Taylor Riedl tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs. As a team, the Fighting Hawks recorded 86 digs. SDSU finished with 96 digs on the night.

The University of North Dakota will return to action on Friday, March 19, when it closes its current road trip at Western Illinois for a two-match set with the Leathernecks.