The Daily Dispatch

North Dakota State College of Science head volleyball coach Jane Passa said her team had their chances to win Wednesday night after the Wildcats fell behind early, fought back, and lost a thrilling five set match to Bismarck State College 3-2 at the Blikre Activities Center.

"It's a game of momentum. I was proud of the way the girls fought back," Passa said. "But sometimes all you can do is send the team out there and hope for the best. I think Bismarck just has our number."

The Wildcats got an early lead in the first game, but the Mystics came back and took the set 25-23.

In the second game, both teams fought through eight tie score before the Wildcats opened up a 14-13 lead.

Kacie Reardon served an ace and got three kills near the end of the game.

Sara Opp and Taylor Hart also added important kills as the Wildcats evened the match with a 25-19 win.

There were seven tie scores in the third game and the Wildcats led as late as 23-18.

But Bismarck State went on a 7-0 run to close the set and won 25-23.

In the fourth game, the Wildcats took control early.

Two Mystics errors and an ace by Hart of the Wildcats gave NDSCS a quick 5-0 lead.

Reardon had four kills in the game, while Opp had three as the Wildcats easily forced a fifth game with a 25-13 win.

But in the final set, the Mystics jumped out to a 7-1 lead.

At the cross over, Bismarck State led 8-3.

At 9-3, the Wildcats got on a run and started to come back.

Libby Augedahl served three straight points as Reardon and Opp got kills to pull the Wildcats to within 9-6.

A Hart kill got NDSCS to within one point, at 11-10.

And another Hart kill later in the set gave the Wildcats a 13-12 lead.

But Bismarck State took the final three points to claim the 15-13 win.

The Wildcats (17-6) travel to Morris, Minn., Thursday to face the University of Minnesota-Morris.

Wildcats stats:

Kills:

Reardon 19

Opp 18

Hart 15

Blocks:

Reardon 3

Dierks 2

Digs:

Augedahl 26

Hart 22

Assists:

Dougherty 55

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