GREEN BAY, Wis. – North Dakota ended the Green Bay Invite with a 3-2 victory over Drake on Saturday morning.
 
North Dakota started the first set strong as they went up 2-1. The teams then traded points, but Drake took the lead. UND fought hard, but they were unable to catch up to DU as they won the first set 25-17. The Fighting Hawks stepped into the second set with momentum as they kept it tight until the Bulldogs took the 11-6 lead. North Dakota took a timeout that allowed them to regroup as they scored four straight points to make it 11-10. The tussle continued, but North Dakota took a 19-18 lead to force Drake to call a timeout. The teams continued to trade points, but UND took the second set 25-23. The third set saw similarities as DU scored first, but UND stayed in it as they kept it within two until DU took an 18-13 lead midway through the set. North Dakota was not done yet as they made it 23-23 and then scored two more to take the set 25-23. The Bulldogs took a 16-11 lead in the fourth set to sway the momentum their way. North Dakota was once again caught chasing, but they were unable to catch Drake as they took the set 25-18. Drake scored the initial point in the fifth set, but North Dakota quickly took the 3-1 lead. DU tied it at three all, but UND retook the lead until DU made it 9-9. The Bulldogs took an 11-10 lead, but North Dakota scored five straight points to take the set 15-10 and secure the 3-2 victory.

The Fighting Hawks beat the Bulldogs statistically in points (79-78), kills (67-62) and assists (64-57). The Bulldogs were able to lead in aces (8-4) and digs (84-77). Both teams had eight blocks in the match.

The Fighting Hawks start Summit League play on the road against Western Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. CT.

Postgame Notes

• North Dakota improves to 3-8 on the season. The win against the Drake Bulldogs breaks a five-game losing streak.
• Ashlyn Olson matched her career high with 17 kills to lead the Fighting Hawks in the match. She had 19.5 points, five blocks and two digs. Olson was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance over the weekend.
• McCallister Gayle beat her career high in kills with 14 against the Bulldogs. Her prior high was 13 kills against Western Illinois on October 28, 2021. Gayle ended the match with 15 points and two blocks.
• Marissa Stockman and Sierra Ward each had nine kills in the match. Stockman had 11.5 points, five blocks and two digs. Ward had 9.5 points, six digs and one block.
• Elizabeth Norris quarterbacked the offense with 28 assists. She had 11 points, 11 kills and 14 digs against Drake.
• Izzy McCormick led the defense with a career-high 22 digs.
• Kortney Carney ended the match with 27 assists, 11 digs, three points and one kill.
• Maddy Hornyak contributed 18 digs on the defensive end. She had two service aces in the match.

How it Happened

• Set 1: Drake 25, North Dakota 17
• Set 2: North Dakota 25, Drake 23
• Set 3: North Dakota 25, Drake 23
• Set 4: Drake 25, North Dakota 18
• Set 5: North Dakota 15, Drake 11