GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota volleyball team fell to Omaha in four sets Thursday night as the Fighting Hawks opened Summit League play. UND moves to 6-6 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
Sally Marong made an impact off the bench, recording her first collegiate double-double. She posted season highs of 15 kills and 11 digs while leading the Fighting Hawks in kills and hitting a team-best .333.
Omaha controlled the opening set, holding the North Dakota attack to a negative hitting percentage and taking the frame, 25-13.
The Mavericks continued to control the second set, but the Fighting Hawks battled back late. Trailing 23-17, UND put together a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to three. Marong sparked the run with back-to-back kills, but Omaha stopped the Hawks' momentum and claimed the set, 25-21, to take a 2-0 lead.
North Dakota came out with a different strategy in the third set, and it paid off. The two teams battled through 10 ties and four lead changes, trading points throughout the frame. The Hawks created a late three-point run to reach set point, with Marong recording two kills and
Elena Stefanov adding a service ace. Omaha answered with a kill to tie the set at 24-24, but North Dakota responded with a kill from Marong and another from
Lauren Perugini to take the set, 26-24, and cut the match deficit to 2-1.
The Hawks fought to force a deciding fifth set, opening the fourth with a 3-0 run. Omaha rallied to keep the set close, but North Dakota built a 21-18 lead late in the frame. The Mavericks responded with a late run to take the set, 25-21, and the match, 3-1.
The Hawks look to bounce back Saturday when St. Thomas comes to Grand Forks. First serve is set for 1 p.m. at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
POSTGAME NOTES
- UND now trails 59-13 in the all-time series against Omaha.
- Lauren Perugini nearly recorded a double-double with eight kills and 13 digs.
- Libero Haley Patton led the Hawks' back row with 18 digs.
- Reagan McIntosh and Ela Vlaisavljevic shared setting duties, with each recording 14 assists.
- Lilliana Montes led North Dakota with four blocks, including one of the Hawks' two solo blocks.
- Perugini led UND with two service aces, accounting for two of the Hawks' four aces.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Omaha 25, North Dakota 13
Set 2: Omaha 15, North Dakota 21
Set 3: North Dakota 26, Omaha 24
Set 4: Omaha 25, North Dakota 21
For more information on North Dakota Volleyball, visit Fightinghawks.com or follow-on social media @UNDvolleyball.
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