MISSOULA, Mont. – North Dakota volleyball secured the first win under first-year head coach Jesse Tupac against UT Arlington (3-2) on Saturday morning.
North Dakota and UT Arlington split the first two sets in the day's opening match. UND struggled early as UTA won 25-7 in the first, but they came out strong in the second set to win 25-21. North Dakota took the lead with 27-25 win in the third set, but they were unable to close it out as UT Arlington fought and took the fourth set (25-9). In the fifth set, the Fighting Hawks and Mavericks were neck-to-neck, but UND took the lead (11-7) with a four point run. The Mavericks battled, but they fell to the Hawks 15-12.
UND beat the Mavericks across the board statistically. UND had 50 kills while UTA had 38. North Dakota had seven aces, ten blocks, 45 assists and 64 digs compared to UT Arlington's four aces, seven blocks, 35 assists and 44 digs.
North Dakota returns to action on Friday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. against Wright State in the Western Michigan tournament.
Postgame Notes
- The win against the Mavericks is the first under new head coach Jesse Tupac.
- North Dakota improves to 1-2 on the season.
- Elizabeth Norris led the Fighting Hawks with ten kills, which is a career-high.
- Taylor Pribyl had a career-high two services aces in the match, which placed her as the leader for UND.
- Sierra Ward, McCallister Gayle and Marissa Stockman tied for the lead in blocks with three each.
- Norris led the Fighting Hawks in assists for the day with 15.
- Kortney Carney led UND with 12 digs in the match and was third in assists with seven.
How it Happened
- Set 1: UT Arlington 25, North Dakota 7
- Set 2: North Dakota 25, UT Arlington 21
- Set 3: North Dakota 27, UT Arlington 25
- Set 4: UT Arlington 25, North Dakota 9
- Set 5: North Dakota 15, UT Arlington 12
