KALAMAZOO, Mich. – North Dakota ended the Western Michigan tournament with a 3-0 loss to the host, the Western Michigan Broncos, on Saturday morning.
 
North Dakota started the first set battling to take the lead as the teams traded points until Western Michigan had three straight points to give them an early 5-2 lead. UND continued to fight to catch up to WMU, but they were unable to cut the deficit down as they lost the first set 25-12. The Fighting Hawks started the second set earning the first point, but the Broncos quickly scored four straight points to give them a 4-1 lead. North Dakota kept Western Michigan within reach as they came within one point (9-8) before the Broncos pulled away to keep the lead. WMU won the second set 25-18. The final set saw a stronger start by UND as they took the lead early (5-3), but WMU tied it at five before taking the lead off a five-point run. The Fighting Hawks tied the set once more at nine before the Broncos pulled away to win 25-16.
The Fighting Hawks maintained their ground statistically. UND had 33 kills while WMU had 34. North Dakota had two aces, one block, six errors, 33 assists and 32 digs compared to Western Michigan's 11 aces, five blocks, 33 assists and 28 digs. 

The Fighting Hawks return to Grand Forks on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. against old Big Sky foe, Montana State.

Postgame Notes

• North Dakota is now 2-4 on the season. Their win against Indiana State at the Western Michigan tournament has already marked an improvement from a season ago when the Fighting Hawks went 1-29.
• Elizabeth Norris led the Fighting Hawks with ten kills and 12 points.
• Erika Lindqvist and McCallister Gayle shared the lone block for the Fighting Hawks.
• Kortney Carney finished the game against WMU with 16 digs to place her as the leader.
• Leading in assists was Peyton Sewell with 15 against the Broncos.

How it Happened

• Set 1: Western Michigan 25, North Dakota 12
• Set 2: Western Michigan 25, North Dakota 18
• Set 3: Western Michigan 25, North Dakota 16