GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota fought a tight battle in the 3-1 loss to Montana State on Thursday night.
 
North Dakota took the lead (2-1) early in the first set before the Bobcats surpassed them to make it 3-2. UND kept battling as they tied it at three, but MSU retook the lead until the 22nd point when UND tied it once more. The Fighting Hawks battled and scored two more points to take the 24-23 lead. North Dakota could not hold on as Montana State took the set 26-24. The second set saw a slower start as the Fighting Hawks trailed early. UND was unable to catch-up to MSU as they took the second set 25-21.
 
After the break, North Dakota found their rhythm as they scored four consecutive points to take an early 4-1 lead. MSU battled and was able to tie it 8-8 before taking a one-point lead. The lead did not last long as UND tied it (9-9). The fight continued as the Bobcats took the lead then saw another tie before they took a 12-10 lead. North Dakota took the 17-14 lead midway through the set, but Montana State stayed persistent and tied it at 17 before taking the lead. UND battled and was able to come out on top in a tight 26-24 ending. The Bobcats took the lead to start the fourth set and did not look back. They won it 25-20 for the 3-1 victory.
 
The Fighting Hawks maintained their ground statistically. North Dakota had 65 points while MSU had 66. The Fighting Hawks had 50 kills, seven aces, eight block, 43 assists and 71 digs compared to the Bobcats 56 kills, eight aces, two blocks, 50 assists and 74 digs. 

The Fighting Hawks return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Fordham at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Postgame Notes

• North Dakota is now 2-5 on the season.
• Ashlyn Olson led the Fighting Hawks with 13 kills and 13.5 points.
• Sierra Ward ended the evening with double-digit kills as she had ten. Ward contributed 10.5 points against the Bobcats.  
• McCallister Gayle had 12 points against the Bobcats. She had nine kills and six blocks.
• Marissa Stockman joined Gayle on the defense as she had five blocks. She ended the evening with eight kills and 10.5 points.
• Elizabeth Norris led the Fighting Hawks in assists with 23 and had 12 digs on the defensive end.
• Kortney Carney finished the game against MSU with 19 digs to place her as the leader.
• Freshman Izzy McCorrmick had 12 digs to tie for second on the team with Norris in the match.

How it Happened

• Set 1: Montana State 26, North Dakota 24
• Set 2: Montana State 25, North Dakota 21
• Set 3: North Dakota 26, Montana State 24
• Set 4: Montana State 25, North Dakota 20