DENVER – The North Dakota State volleyball team came up short at Denver, 3-1, on Thursday night at Hamilton Gymnasium.

After dropping the first two sets, the Bison (12-8, 6-4 Summit) answered back in the third frame with an early 5-1 run capped off by an ace from Rya Borer to make the score 13-10. The two teams then traded points until Arianna Blohm delivered a kill and Ally Barth and Zoe John connected on a block to extend the edge to 23-17. The Bison went on to hold off the Pioneers (14-8, 6-5 Summit), 25-22.

NDSU carried the momentum into the fourth set after assembling seven straight points to build a 13-5 advantage with a kill from Emma Tallman. However, Denver responded with a 10-2 run of their own to tie the set, 15-15. The two teams then once again exchanged points until the Pioneers used a late 5-1 run to steal the lead, 23-21, after a kill from Kate Perryman. Denver went on to win the set, 25-22, and the match, 3-1.

NDSU had six different players contribute at least five kills with Baily Randall and Lauren Jansen each posting a team-best nine. Cathy Porter handed out a team-high 17 assists with eight digs, while Borer notched a match-high 14 digs with three assists. Blohm closed out the group with seven kills and a match-high seven total blocks.

NDSU will continue its road trip at Oral Roberts on Saturday. First serve is set for 12:00 p.m.