Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
North Dakota
Wildcat volleyball falls in three at North Dakota
9/27/2013 2:54:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Despite hitting a season-high .375, the Weber State University women's volleyball team came up just short in its quest to defeat the Big Sky Conference leaders.
Sophomore outside hitter Rebecca Fuchs had 11 kills and freshman outside hitter Ciera Borho added 10 kills as the Wildcats dropped a 25-22, 25-19, 29-27 decision to North Dakota on Thursday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
Fuchs hit .409 with a pair of service aces and a solo block, while Borho also added a solo block for the Wildcats.
Sophomore setter/outside hitter Samantha Staker had a career-high 38 assists, along five kills – in six errorless attempts, five digs and a service ace. Freshman middle blocker Megan Bean had five kills on seven errorless attempts and added three total blocks – including two solo, while junior outside hitter Audrey Biggs had seven kills and sophomore middle blocker Audrey Hunter had six kills and hit .714.
Weber State dropped to 0-3 in Big Sky play with the loss (4-13 overall), while North Dakota improved to 3-0 in league play and 7-7 overall.
The two teams battled fiercely in the opening set, with Weber State trailing just 19-18 late, but a 5-1 surge by North Dakota opened up just enough room for the home team to take the set 25-22.
UND raced out to an 8-1 lead in the second set and never let WSU back into the set in taking a 2-0 lead.
Fighting to extend the match, the Wildcats opened a 4-1 lead in the third set and the two teams battled through the entire set. UND held match point at 24-23, but Weber State rallied to have set point at 25-24 on back-to-back kills from Borho and Biggs. After North Dakota tied it at 25, a kill by Bean put the Wildcats back in front 26-25. UND scored the next two points to regain the lead, before a Hunter kill tied it up at 27-27. North Dakota, however, scored the final two points to take the set – and match.
There were 14 ties and five lead changes in the final set, which saw the Wildcats hit .515 with 20 kills.
Weber State will be back in action on Saturday night against Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. The Bears are 1-2 in Big Sky play, 5-8 overall after being swept by Idaho State on Thursday night.
