VERMILLION, S.D. – The North Dakota State volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision against Kansas City in the Summit League Championship semifinal round on Monday night at Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

With the loss, NDSU finishes the season with a 18-11 (9-7 Summit) overall record and advanced to the Summit League Championship semifinal round for the second straight season. Kansas City (22-7, 12-4 Summit) moves on to the Summit League Championship final round tomorrow against Omaha at 7:00 p.m.

After Kansas City grabbed the first two sets, NDSU battled back in the third set that saw 13 tie scores and four lead changes. The Roos put together a 3-1 run to build a 20-15 edge late in the third frame after an attack error. NDSU responded with five straight points of its own to lock the set after Ally Barth delivered a kill. Both teams then traded points until the Bison were able to get back-to-back kills from Ali Hinze to seal the set, 30-28.

Kansas City pushed back in the fourth frame opening up a 19-14 lead following a kill from Kimora Whetstone. The Roos then extended their lead to 22-16 after a block from Sila Ozyurek and Whetstone. NDSU made one final surge pulling back within four, 24-20, after a kill from Hinze. However, the Roos went on to hold off the Bison the rest of the way to win the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1. 

Hinze led the way for NDSU with a match-high 18 kills and 17 digs. Kelley Johnson also posted a double-double with match-best 55 assists and 11 digs. Johnson closes her career with 4,019 career assists, which is the most in the NDSU Division I era and ranks sixth all-time. Taylor Quan led the way on the defensive side with a match-best 23 digs.