Bobcats Fall in Four Sets at North Dakota

Saturday, October 3

Grand Forks, ND

12 p.m.

Montana State University

3-9, 1-3

North Dakota

14-6, 3-1

Montana State

North Dakota

Natalee Godfrey had 15 kills and three blocks at UND.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

10/3/2015 4:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

“I thought it was a very well-played match on our part, which is what we are focusing on,” said first-year head coach JJ Riley. “The team did a great job with playing within the game plan so it shows they know what’s going on which is great. We love the way the team started in that match as we have been talking about being better at the beginning and we need to keep learning how to not give up some runs of points as that was the difference.”

By: Tom Schulz

Despite having four players with double-digit kills and junior outside hitter Loni Kreun with a match-best 16 kills, the Montana State volleyball team couldn't hang on as North Dakota rallied for a 25-27, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 win over the Bobcats, Saturday afternoon at the Betty Englestad Sioux Center.

Montana State (3-9, 1-3) got the start they had been looking for after dropping the opening set in the previous six matches. MSU found themselves down 22-20 late in the opening stanza, but reeled off three points to take a 23-22 margin following a UND attack error. The score was tied three times down the stretch before back-to-back kills by junior Alexandra Rader gave the Bobcats the win.

"I thought it was a very well-played match on our part, which is what we are focusing on," said first-year head coach JJ Riley. "The team did a great job with playing within the game plan so it shows they know what's going on which is great. We love the way the team started in that match as we have been talking about being better at the beginning and we need to keep learning how to not give up some runs of points as that was the difference."

The second set was all North Dakota (14-6, 3-1) as they jumped out to a 20-9 advantage. The Bobcats fought back to close to within 23-20 following a UND hitting miscue, but MSU would get no closer. The third game featured 12 ties and six lead changes. UND pulled away from 19-all with four straight points to go up 2-1.

In the final set, the score was again even at 19-all, but UND closed out the match on a 6-0 run for the victory.

"There were so many things that happened today which show our athletes are growing individually," Reilly said.

Also in double-figure kills for MSU were Natalee Godfrey 15, while Kiana Black and Natalie Passeck added ten, apiece. Defensively, Kasey Altman led all players with a career-high 28 digs. Also in double-digit digs were Kreun 16, Dana Vestman 15, and Passeck 11. Senior setter Katie Harrington dished out 60 assists.

Montana State will host Southern Utah on Thursday night.