FARGO, N.D. – For the third straight match, the North Dakota State volleyball team fell short in five sets after dropping a 3-2 decision against West Virginia in the home opener on Friday night at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
NDSU (0-4) grabbed the first two frames after posting a match-best .324 hitting percentage in the opening set to grab the early win, 26-24. The Bison followed it up running out to a 13-4 lead in the second set after a pair of attack errors. NDSU then put the frame out of reach with back-to-back kills from Alexis Boling to make the score 21-10. The Bison went on to win the set, 25-11.
However, West Virginia (3-1) took advantage of 10 NDSU errors in the third frame to win the set, 25-20. The Mountaineers then carried the momentum into the fourth set opening up a 16-11 edge at the midway point with a kill from Laila Ibrahim. West Virginia held off NDSU the rest of the way to win the set, 25-23, and lock the match, 2-2.
West Virginia quickly built an 11-7 advantage with a service ace from Alexis Finnvold in the fifth set. The Mountaineers were able to register a .562 hitting percentage in the final frame to win the set, 15-9, and the match, 3-2.
Ali Hinze posted a match-high and season-best 22 kills to go along with 10 digs and two blocks. It marked her second double-double performance of the season and sixth 20-kill match of her career. Emily Bruss logged a team-best 28 assists and Logan O’Brien added a team-high 15 digs.
NDSU will be back in action tomorrow against Southern Illinois Edwardsville. First serve is set for 11:00 a.m., at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.