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BUFFALO, N.Y. – North Dakota State lost to Seton Hall 3-1 (20-25, 25-14, 27-25, 25-20), but rebounded for a 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19) win over Niagara University during the first day of the University of Buffalo Blue & White Classic played Friday, Aug. 24, in Alumni Arena.
 
North Dakota State is scheduled to close out Classic play at 11:30 a.m. CT Saturday, Aug. 25 against host University of Buffalo (1-0). Buffalo played Seton Hall in Friday's final match.
 
Emily Halverson rolled up a career-high 13 kills and hit .545 to spark NDSU against the Purple Eagles (0-2). Allie Mauch had nine kills as the Bison outhit Niagara .238 to .148. Kalli Hegerle directed the offense with 35 assists, 11 digs and four blocks.
 
Alexis Bachmeier led the defense with a career-high 18 digs, one of four players with double-figure digs. Abbi Klos and Kaylee Hanger each had 10. Paige Shaffer and Hanger both served up two aces.
 
In the opener, NDSU won the first set but dropped the next three to Seton Hall. The turning point came in set three when the Pirates edged the Bison 27-25. Set three was a match in itself with 17 ties and nine lead changes.
 
North Dakota State led 24-22 on a block from Bachmeier and Halverson. Seton Hall scored five of the last six points and the Bison managed to tie things at 25-all on a McKenzie Burke kill.
 
Burke finished with 15 kills and 12 digs to notch her fourth career double-double. Bachmeier had career-highs all-around with nine kills, 10 digs and three aces. Kalli Hegerle claimed 34 assists, 12 digs and five blocks. Emily Halverson recorded a match-high six blocks including three solos.
 
Seton Hall outhit NDSU .161 to .136, but the Bison had a 12-7 advantage in blocks and held a 64-62 edge in digs.