Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
North Dakota
'Cats suffer tough five-set loss to North Dakota
9/21/2012 5:46:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah - The Wildcats couldn't close the door and their opponents escaped.
Despite a career-high tying 18 kills, 10 digs and four blocks from redshirt freshman Rebecca Fuchs, the Weber State University women's volleyball team dropped a five-set marathon 23-25, 28-26, 23-25, 25-23, 15-8 to the University of North Dakota in Big Sky Conference action on Thursday night at Swenson Gym.
Junior middle blocker Briana Wilms added 13 kills and six blocks, and junior Piper Wahlin added a season-high 12 kills for the Wildcats.
Redshirt freshman middle blocker Audrey Gee added seven kills and six blocks, while senior setter Caitlin Penrod had 57 assists and four blocks, and senior libero Laurel Bodily had 18 kills.
Weber State dropped to 0-3 in Big Sky play (6-8 overall), while North Dakota improved to 2-1 in league (6-7 overall).
The first four sets of the match were nail-biters, with 47 ties and 20 lead changes.
After Weber State took a 1-0 lead in the match by winning the first set, the Wildcats appeared in prime position to make it a commanding 2-0 advantage after building a 24-21 lead in the second set. North Dakota, however, rallied to take a 25-24 lead and eventually took the set to level the match at 1-1.
The Wildcats regained the lead after a tense third set, but North Dakota again leveled the match with a two-point win to set up the decisive fifth set.
Weber State will be back in action on Saturday at 4 p.m. when the Wildcats host defending Big Sky Conference champion Northern Colorado at Swenson Gym.
