GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Sophomore Ashlynn Smith led the South Dakota State volleyball team in a 3-0 loss to North Dakota Saturday morning in the final match of the UND Classic in the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
The Jackrabbits (1-8) lost 25-22, 25-13 and 25-19 to the Fighting Hawks (13-1).
Smith finished the match with eight kills while junior Sierra Peterson collected seven kills. On defense, senior Ellie Benson added 14 digs and was named to the UNC Classic All-Tournament team. Junior Mattison Munger recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 set assists and 10 digs.
Turning Points
In the first set, the Jackrabbits battled to within 24-20 and then pushed the score to 24-22 on a Peterson kill and an UND attack error. The Fighting Hawks closed the set with a kill.
An 11-3 run by UND to close the second set was the difference for South Dakota State.
Midway through the third set, North Dakota went on a 10-2 run to take a 14-5 lead. Later the Jackrabbits made a late push, scoring five-straight points, which included back-to-back blocks by junior Payton Richardson and freshman Erin Cutts, to cut the lead to 23-19. The Fighting Hawks finished the set and match with a kill and block.
Notables
Mattison Munger recorded 13 set assists and now has 1,753 career assists. She ranks 10th on the SDSU career list.
Up Next
South Dakota State returns to action Wednesday when it plays at UIC at 6 p.m.
