MACOMB, Ill. – Led by Sofia Hedqvist's career night, the University of North Dakota (2-14, 2-12 Summit) battled with Western Illinois (2-13, 2-12 Summit) for a second-straight night at Western Hall, taking a 2-1 lead after a dominant third set by the Leathernecks. However, WIU rebounded in the fourth to force a fifth set and outlasted the Fighting Hawks, 25-23, 9-25, 25-19, 21-25, 12-15.

The redshirt freshman, who tallied six kills in two sets last night against the Leathernecks, recorded 16 kills and hit .297 to lead the UND attack, while Taylor Riedl totaled 10 kills and 18 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Madi Hart and Sara Antic each recorded two service aces, and Lexi Ahrens led the Hawks with five blocks.

Hedqvist's 16-kill night was the best by a UND freshman since 2018. Her 17.5 points were the most off the bench by a Fighting Hawk player this season as well.

One night after its four-set loss, UND opened the match with a 1-0 lead, swinging toe-to-toe with the Leathernecks and taking a .189 to .156 hitting advantage in the frame. Riedl willed the Fighting Hawks in the set, recording six kills and a .312 hitting percentage.

Following WIU's strong second set, the Fighting Hawks relied on Hedqvist, who registered seven kills and hit .600 during the set as UND hit .194 in the frame, overcoming a 13-15 deficit to win the frame, 25-19. The Leathernecks got out to fast starts in the fourth and fifth sets to separate themselves from the Fighting Hawks and clinch the series sweep.

Though Western Illinois won the final two sets of the match, UND held the Leathernecks to a .101 hitting percentage in the final two frames, including a .000 hitting percentage in the fifth set.

The University of North Dakota will close the regular season at The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center next weekend when it hosts rival North Dakota State on March 26 and 27. Both matches will serve at 7 p.m. Central.