Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
North Dakota
Wildcats fall in five sets to North Dakota
10/28/2012 12:25:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The Wildcats came within inches of a key road breakthrough, but ended up just short of their goal on Saturday afternoon.
Despite several great all-around performances, the Weber State University women's volleyball team fell 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-12 to the University of North Dakota at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Big Sky Conference action.
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Rebecca Fuchs had 14 kills and 10 digs, her fifth double-double of the season, and recorded a career-high six blocks for Weber State. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Audrey Gee had a career high nine blocks and tied her career high with seven kills.
Junior outside hitter Piper Wahlin had eight kills, 10 digs and four blocks, while senior setter Caitlin Penrod had 35 assists and 11 digs, and senior libero Laurel Bodily had 10 digs.
Junior middle blocker Briana Wilms had seven kills and four blocks, while senior middle blocker Dama Cox had five kills, four blocks and three service aces.
Weber State and North Dakota went toe-to-toe in the first set, with the Wildcats holding a 17-16 lead and then tying the set at 22-22, but UND scored the final three points of the set to take a 1-0 lead.
WSU stormed out to the lead in the second set, leading 5-1 and then 18-12 as the Wildcats cruised to the set win to level the match at 1-1 on a service ace from Cox.
Weber State again surged out to a lead in the third set, leading 5-1, but North Dakota rallied even the set at 17-17. The Wildcats answered back with a kill by Fuchs and didn't trail again as they captured the set on a kill by Gee to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
With the momentum behind them, the Wildcats again surged out to a 5-1 lead in the third set, but North Dakota ignited with a 10-1 scoring surge that put them in front 11-6. Weber State closed the gap to 11-8, but UND outscored the Wildcats 14-5 to end the set and set up the decisive fifth set.
WSU led 3-1 and 4-2 early in the set, but a 6-1 scoring run put North Dakota ahead 8-5 and the teams traded points until UND closed it out for the three-point win.
It was the fourth five-set match for Weber State in conference play this year, and fifth of the season overall. The Wildcats went to five sets with North Dakota in both matches this year.
Weber State returns home on Monday to face the University of Texas-Pan American in non-conference action at Swenson Gym. The match kicks off a five-match homestand for the Wildcats. First serve against the Broncs is set for 7 p.m.
UTPA is 9-15 overall and is coming off a 3-0 loss to Utah Valley on Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats and Broncs met on Sept. 8 in Hammond, Louisiana, during the Tangi Tourism Lion Classic, with Weber State winning 3-1.
