OMAHA, Neb. – The University of North Dakota volleyball team fell in four sets on the road at Omaha on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Hawks move to 7-13 overall and 1-8 in Summit League play.
Autumn Jordan had a breakout performance for the Fighting Hawks, recording a career-high eight kills while hitting .365. She also added two block assists. Fellow freshman
Mackenzie Dufner also reached a career milestone, recording a career-high 19 assists.
The two teams battled early in the opening set, with UND maintaining a narrow advantage and reaching 15 points first to trigger the media timeout. Omaha responded to tie the set at 17, but kills from
Lauren Perugini and
Lilliana Montes helped the Fighting Hawks regain momentum and force a Mavericks timeout. North Dakota continued to build its lead, using a 5-1 run to move ahead. A block assist from
Tessa Jacobson and Jordan helped the Hawks take a 23-19 advantage and forced another Omaha timeout. The break did little to slow UND, as an ace from Dufner and a block assist from
Andrea Zaric and Jacobson helped the Fighting Hawks close out the set, 25-19, and take a 1-0 match lead.
The Fighting Hawks and Mavericks continued to battle in the second set. Omaha jumped out to an 8-4 lead, but North Dakota responded with a 4-0 run to even the score at eight. Perugini recorded two kills during the stretch, while
Skylar Darr added an ace. The Mavericks regained control and maintained the lead for the remainder of the set, taking the frame 25-20 to even the match at one set apiece.
Omaha controlled the third set, preventing North Dakota from taking the lead. The Fighting Hawks managed to tie the score at nine, but a late run by the Mavericks proved too much to overcome. UND dropped the set 25-17 as Omaha took a 2-1 match lead.
The final set followed a similar pattern, with North Dakota keeping the score close early before Omaha pulled away. The Fighting Hawks continued to battle and looked for opportunities to close the gap, but the Mavericks held on for a 25-20 set victory to secure the 3-1 match win.
The Fighting Hawks return to the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center next week to host Oral Roberts and Kansas City. UND opens the homestand against Oral Roberts on Thursday, Oct. 29, for Stuff the Betty and Camper Reunion. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Omaha maintains its lead in the all-time series, 60-13.
- Lilliana Montes led the UND offense with 13 kills while hitting .375.
- Lauren Perugini led the Fighting Hawks with eight digs and added nine kills.
- Reagan McIntosh paced the UND offense with 24 assists.
- North Dakota recorded five service aces, with Skylar Darr and Mackenzie Dufner recording two each.
- In one set played, Sally Marong recorded five kills on seven attempts, hitting .571.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: North Dakota 25, Omaha 19
Set 2: Omaha 25, North Dakota 20
Set 3: Omaha 25, North Dakota 17
Set 4: Omaha 25, North Dakota 20
For more information on North Dakota Volleyball, visit Fightinghawks.com or follow-on social media @UNDvolleyball.
--UND--
