FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision against South Dakota State on Thursday night at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

Baily Randall totaled a team-high 13 kills with nine digs, while Arianna Blohm also reached double figures with 10 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. Cathy Porter handed out a team-best 23 assists with five digs and Rya Borer tallied a match-high 18 digs. Ally Barth rounded out the top performers tying a season-best seven blocks with five kills.

NDSU (13-9, 7-5 Summit) got off to a fast start in the opening frame with a 6-1 run to grab a 13-8 advantage following an attack error. The two teams then traded points through the set that saw seven tie scores. The Bison closed the frame with a 3-1 run, which included two kills from Randall to secure a 27-25 win.

The Jackrabbits (19-3, 13-0 Summit) pushed back in the second frame with a 9-1 run to open up a 15-6 advantage with a block from Sydni Schetnan. NDSU made a late surge with a 7-1 run of its own to cut the deficit down to 22-19 with a block from Barth and Emma Tallman. However, the Jackrabbits held off the Bison the rest of the way, 25-20.

Both teams traded points in the third frame that featured a match-high eight tie scores and two lead changes. The Jackrabbits doubled up the Bison, 12-6, with a kill from Schetnan. NDSU responded with a 9-3 run of its own to steal the lead, 17-16, with an ace from Randall. SDSU then used five straight points to regain the edge, 21-17, following another kill from Schetnan. The Jackrabbits went on to win the set, 25-22.

SDSU carried the momentum into the fourth set assembling five straight points to grab a 17-11 lead after an attack error. The Bison made one final push with a late 4-1 run to cut the edge down to 24-20 following a pair of attack errors, but the Jackrabbits went on to close out the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1.

NDSU will be back in action at North Dakota on Saturday. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.