GRAND FORKS, N.D. - In their second match of the day, the Lady Techsters dropped a 3-0 (17-25, 16-25) decision to the host North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Friday evening in front a crowd of 895 from the Betty Engelstad Center on the campus of North Dakota University.
 
"Tonight our team showed togetherness and the desire to compete for every point against a very talented team – a team with a very strong volleyball history," head coach Adriano de Souza noted. "Even trailing 2-0 in the match, we were still leading in kills. Missed serves, some hitting errors and missed opportunities in counter attack were what hurt us tonight. I like the steps our team is taking in order to consistently compete intelligently and harder for every point."
 
In the first set, North Dakota (4-3) led throughout, but Tech (1-4) remained within striking distance throughout the opening frame. The Fighting Hawks, a 2017 NCAA Tournament team, were unable to extend their lead, courtesy of strong attacking play from Tech's Carter Mirich and Lara Hendricks. Tech tied the first set at 13, but North Dakota rallied for three consecutive points to take a 16-13 lead. The Techsters kept it close, but were unable to draw any closer than three, as UND capitalized on some Tech errors, and took the first set, 25-17.
 
In the second, both teams went back-and-forth, as Tech found itself within one at 9-8. However, the Fighting Hawks would take seven of the next eight points, extending their lead out to nine. Tech continued to attack well, but some service errors and a few mental mistakes gave UND the second set, 25-16.
 
In the third frame, the Techsters came out with something to prove in front of a rowdy crowd, taking their largest lead of the match at 12-7. North Dakota would have a response behind their fan base, and tied the set up at 14 apiece. The lead would change hands a couple more times before the Hawks took nine of the final 10 points to secure the set and the match triumph.
 
Despite losing three sets to none, Tech was only out-killed 37-34 in the match.
 
Lara Hendricks (nine kills), Carter Mirich (eight kills) and Kaitlyn Adams (seven kills) provided most of the offensive output for Tech in the evening contest. Both of Tech's freshman setters in Abigail Hildenbrand (15 assists) and Mia Prostran (10 assists) controlled the offensive rhythm throughout. Emily Boylan stepped into a starting role and chipped in a pair of blocks, while Alyssa Zucco led with 11 digs.
 
Tech will be back in action for two matches tomorrow, starting with a 10 a.m. rematch with Eastern Washington, followed by a 4 p.m. first serve against Western Carolina. Live stats for both matches can be found at LATechSports.com.