GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota women's volleyball team fell in a competitive four-set match to South Dakota State on Saturday. The Fighting Hawks move to 7-11 overall and 1-6 in Summit League play.
Reagan McIntosh recorded her fourth double-double of the season against the Jackrabbits, finishing with 25 assists and 17 digs.
Lilliana Montes led the UND offense with 13 kills, while
Sally Marong contributed nine kills, 16 digs and five blocks.
The Hawks opened the contest with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a block from
Ellee McIntosh and Montes before Montes added a kill to cap the stretch. The Jackrabbits responded to tie the set at four, and the teams traded points throughout the frame, with neither side building a lead of more than a few points. South Dakota State eventually created a 24-21 advantage to reach set point, but North Dakota rallied with three consecutive points to force extra points.
Andrea Zaric and Montes recorded a kill and a block from
Ellee McIntosh, respectively, before Montes tied the score at 24. However, the Jackrabbits claimed the next two points to take the opening set, 26-24.
South Dakota State built an early lead in the second set, extending its advantage to 15-11 at the media timeout. North Dakota responded with a 4-0 run to even the score at 15 and force a Jackrabbit timeout.
Olivia Edlund,
Reagan McIntosh and Montes each recorded a kill during the stretch.
The teams continued to trade points down the stretch before South Dakota State used a late run to secure a 25-21 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
North Dakota responded in the third set, battling the Jackrabbits through another tightly contested frame. The Hawks began to pull away late with a three-point run that gave them a 23-18 advantage.
An den Hamer,
Ellee McIntosh and Marong each recorded a kill during the stretch. South Dakota State answered with two points to cut the deficit to 23-20, prompting UND head coach David Nguyen to call a timeout. Following the break, a Jackrabbit service error gave the Hawks set point, and
Skylar Darr followed with an ace to secure a 25-20 win and extend the match.
The third-set victory marked the first time North Dakota had taken a set from South Dakota State since the 2024 season. It also marked the first set the Hawks had won against the Jackrabbits inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center since 2023.
The Jackrabbits came out strong in the fourth set, building a 15-8 lead at the media timeout. North Dakota responded with a kill from
Ellee McIntosh to begin chipping away at the deficit, but South Dakota State maintained its advantage. The Jackrabbits closed out the set, 25-22, to claim the match by a 3-1 score.
The Hawks will begin the second round of Summit League play on Thursday when they travel to St. Paul, Minn., to face St. Thomas. North Dakota will look to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Tommies at home last month. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
- South Dakota State continues to hold the advantage in the all-time series against North Dakota, 63-31.
- Olivia Edlund recorded nine kills, tying her career high set Thursday against South Dakota.
- Sally Marong contributed nine kills, 16 digs and five blocks, leading the Hawks in both digs and blocks.
- North Dakota recorded 10 total blocks against the Jackrabbits, including 12 block assists and four solo blocks. Marong recorded three solo blocks.
- Skylar Darr and Bilge Balla split libero duties once again, finishing with 10 and nine digs, respectively.
- Ela Vlaisavljevic also saw time as a second setter for UND, recording 19 assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: South Dakota State 26, North Dakota 24
Set 2: South Dakota State 25, North Dakota 21
Set 3: North Dakota 25, South Dakota State 20
Set 4: South Dakota State 25, North Dakota 22
For more information on North Dakota Volleyball, visit Fightinghawks.com or follow-on social media @UNDvolleyball.
--UND--
