ABILENE, Texas – The North Dakota volleyball team capped off Friday with a match against hosting Abilene Christian, falling to the Wildcats 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-20).

McCallister Gayle paced the UND attack once again with five kills, while Elizabeth Norris, Paige Barber and Kaycee O'Dell each had four. Teagan Timperley led the Hawks with 12 assists and Lauren Perugini led with seven digs. Jarolin de los Santos Lugo led with three blocks.

UND got the first two points of the match, but ACU jumped ahead and UND played catch up until it was tied at 12 following a kill from Gayle. UND was unable to take the lead again in the set, as from a 15-15 tie ACU went on a 5-1 run and took the set.

Set two began with ACU jumping out to a 5-1 lead, before a 3-0 run by UND brought them within one. Barber picked up two kills in the run. But UND was unable to gain the lead and ACU pulled away to take the set.

In the third set ACU got off to another fast start with an 8-3 lead, but UND would follow with an 9-2 run to take a 12-10 lead. Two kills from Gayle and one from both of Norris and O'Dell propelled the run. ACU responded with five straight points, which was answered by three straight from UND to knot up the set at 15. From there ACU took seven of the next eight points, and UND could not close the gap.

UND will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Providence at 10 a.m.

Postgame Notes

·         Timperley put up 12 assists in both matches today

·         Lugo tied a season high with three blocks

·         Gayle led the team in kills both matches, with 18 total on the day

·         Maddy Hornyak had the lone ace of the match for UND

How it Happened:

Set 1: ACU 25, UND 18

Set 2: ACU 25, UND 15

Set 3: ACU 25, UND 20