Russell Hons

UND Drops Match 3-1 to SDSU

9/27/2022 10:38:00 PM | By: Candy Jimenez-Caballero, FightingHawks.com

Box Score GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota fought hard as they fell 3-1 to South Dakota State on Tuesday night.

North Dakota started the first set slow as South Dakota State took an early lead 6-2 lead. The Fighting Hawks brought it within three at 10-7. UND could not surpass SDSU in the first set as the Jackrabbits took it 25-16. The second set saw a back-and-forth battle early as the two teams fought for the lead. South Dakota State pulled away 7-5 and maintained the lead to win the second set 25-21.

North Dakota came out with a spark in the third set as they kept trading for the lead with South Dakota State. The Fighting Hawks were able to snag the 9-6 lead until the Jackrabbits tied it once more at 14 all. UND kept attacking SDSU took take the definitive lead and win the set 25-21. The momentum from the third set followed the Fighting Hawks into the fourth set as they scored the first three points. North Dakota maintained the lead until South Dakota State went on a four-point run to make it 11-9 in their favor. UND fought to retake the lead, but they were unable to do so as SDSU won the set 25-19 to take the 3-1 victory.

The Fighting Hawks kept it tight statistically as they had 57 points while the Jackrabbits had 67.0. North Dakota had 50 kills, three aces, four blocks, 42 assists and 54 digs compared to South Dakota State's 55 kills, six aces, six blocks, 50 assists and 62 digs.

The Fighting Hawks return to action on Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Kansas City Roos at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Postgame Notes

North Dakota is now 5-9 on the season and 2-1 in the Summit League. This loss marks their first loss in conference play.
South Dakota State holds the all-time series lead at 31-56.
South Dakota native, Sierra Ward, led the Fighting Hawks against South Dakota State with 13 points. She led with 12 kills while adding one dig and one block.
Elizabeth Norris ended the evening with a double-double as she had ten kills and 22 assists. She had eight digs to end the night with ten points.
Marissa Stockman tied with Norris and followed Ward in points with ten. She ended the evening with nine kills, three digs and two blocks.
Freshman Sophia Ortquist ended the night with 9.5 points as she had eight kills, two digs, a service ace and a block.
Ashlyn Olson ended the night with nine points as she had eight kills, two blocks and a dig.
Leading the defense was Kortney Carney with 19 digs and four assists.
Peyton Sewell had 15 assists to place behind Norris in the match.
Freshman Paige Barber ended the night with three kills.