Saturday, October 17
Fargo, N.D.
11 a.m.
North Dakota State
11-6,3-4Summit League
2
vs
3
South Dakota
13-5,6-1Summit League
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 25 | 15 | 17 | 25 | 16 | 3 |
| North Dakota St. | 23 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 14 | 2 |
Photo by: Zachary Lucy
NDSU Volleyball Drops Five-Set Thriller Against South Dakota
10/17/2026 3:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FARGO, N.D. – The Bison posted a season-best 14 total blocks as the North Dakota State volleyball team dropped a five-set thriller against South Dakota, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
After splitting the first four frames, the two teams continued to go back and forth into the fifth set until South Dakota (13-5, 6-1 Summit) assembled five straight points to open up an 8-5 edge with a kill from Gabi Zachariasen. The Coyotes then stretched their lead to 12-8 following a block from Morgan Bode and Audrey Nelson. NDSU (11-6, 3-4 Summit) answered back putting together a 6-2 run of their own to lock the contest, 14-14, after a kill from Zoe John. However, the Coyotes closed the frame with back-to-back kills to seal the set, 16-14, and the match, 3-2.
The Bison posted 14 blocks as a team, including a season-high and match-best seven from Allie Collins. It marked the most blocks for NDSU in a single-match since 2024.
Sarah Pfiffner reached the 50-assist plateau for the first time in her career with a career-best 51 to go along with 11 digs, four blocks and one kill. It marked the most assists by a Bison player in a single-match since 2023 and her team-high eighth double-double of the season.
Lauren Jansen recorded her second straight 20-kill match with a match-high 21. She also added six digs, three blocks and one service ace to her stat line. Arianna Blohm, who was playing her 100th career match, contributed 14 kills with seven blocks and five digs. Rya Borer closed out the top performers with a match-best 19 digs on the defensive end.
NDSU will be back in action at Omaha on Thursday. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
After splitting the first four frames, the two teams continued to go back and forth into the fifth set until South Dakota (13-5, 6-1 Summit) assembled five straight points to open up an 8-5 edge with a kill from Gabi Zachariasen. The Coyotes then stretched their lead to 12-8 following a block from Morgan Bode and Audrey Nelson. NDSU (11-6, 3-4 Summit) answered back putting together a 6-2 run of their own to lock the contest, 14-14, after a kill from Zoe John. However, the Coyotes closed the frame with back-to-back kills to seal the set, 16-14, and the match, 3-2.
The Bison posted 14 blocks as a team, including a season-high and match-best seven from Allie Collins. It marked the most blocks for NDSU in a single-match since 2024.
Sarah Pfiffner reached the 50-assist plateau for the first time in her career with a career-best 51 to go along with 11 digs, four blocks and one kill. It marked the most assists by a Bison player in a single-match since 2023 and her team-high eighth double-double of the season.
Lauren Jansen recorded her second straight 20-kill match with a match-high 21. She also added six digs, three blocks and one service ace to her stat line. Arianna Blohm, who was playing her 100th career match, contributed 14 kills with seven blocks and five digs. Rya Borer closed out the top performers with a match-best 19 digs on the defensive end.
NDSU will be back in action at Omaha on Thursday. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
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Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
SD
NDSU
Kills
61
61
Errors
30
21
Attempts
169
175
Hitting %
.183
.229
Points
72.0
81.0
Assists
59
58
Aces
4
6
Blocks
7
14
Game Leaders
Kills
21
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Saturday, October 17
Saturday, October 17
Friday, September 11
Sunday, November 16
