GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota volleyball team fell, 3-1, to Mercer on Friday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. With the loss, the Fighting Hawks now drop to 1-3 on the season.
Reagan McIntosh recorded her second double-double of the season, finishing with 37 assists and 12 digs.
Andrea Zaric and
Ellee McIntosh reached double figures with 11 kills.
Defensively, libero
Haley Patton collected a career-high 17 digs against the Bears.
Olivia Edlund led the Fighting Hawks at the net with four blocks, including two solo stops.
The Hawks opened the match with an impressive first set, holding Mercer to a negative hitting percentage. UND jumped out to a 4-0 lead, highlighted by an opening kill from
An den Hamer. The Bears fought back to keep the first set close before North Dakota used a 5-1 run late in the frame to take a 19-15 lead. Den Hamer recorded two kills during the run, while Zaric added one. The Hawks closed out the set on a 4-1 run to take the opening 25-20.
UND and Mercer battled early in the second set, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage. The Bears took an early lead and never relinquished it, despite five ties throughout the set. UND posted its best hitting percentage of the match in the frame, hitting .225 with 14 kills, but could not overcome Mercer's advantage as the Bears claimed the set, 25-21.
With the match tied at one set apiece, the teams continued to battle for an advantage in the third. The Bears got out early, never relinquishing the lead despite five ties. UND had its best set during the match, hitting .225 with 14 kills, but could not get over Mercer's lead, falling 25-21.
The two squads will return to the Betty on Saturday night to cap the two-match series. First serve is set for 6 p.m.The two squads will return to the Betty tomorrow night to cap the two-game series. First serve is slated for 6 p.m.
POST GAME NOTES
- UND now trails the all-time series against Mercer, 2-0.
- Mercer held North Dakota to one service ace while recording nine of its own
- The Hawks recorded eight blocks, including two solo blocks by An den Hamer and Olivia Edlund.
- Ellee McIntosh narrowly missed a double-double with 11 kills and eight digs.
- Andrea Zaric led the Hawks with a .320 hitting percentage, recording 11 kills on 25 attempts with just three errors.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: North Dakota 25, Mercer 20
Set 2: Mercer 25, North Dakota 23
Set 3: Mercer 25, North Dakota 21
Set 4: Mercer 25, North Dakota 16
