UND volleyball snaps 30-game losing streak in season-opening tournament
Aug. 27—MISSOULA, Mont. — The UND volleyball team's program-record losing streak is over.
The Fighting Hawks snapped their 30-game losing streak Saturday morning, beating UT Arlington at the Ellesyn Invitational in Missoula, Montana.
The victory came in the third game under new coach Jesse Tupac, who took over for Jeremiah Tiffin in the offseason.
UND beat UT Arlington in five sets, 7-25, 25-21, 27-25, 9-25, 15-12.
UND's last victory came one year to the day. It beat Seton Hall on Aug. 27, 2021. After the Seton Hall victory, the Fighting Hawks lost 28 in a row to end the season.
The Tupac era began this weekend with a pair of three-set losses to Montana and UC Davis.
But the Fighting Hawks bounced back Saturday to end the Ellesyn Invitational with a victory over UT Arlington.
On Saturday, Elizabeth Norris led UND with 10 kills, followed by McCallister Gayle with eight and Sophia Ortquist with six.
Norris also led the Fighting Hawks with 15 assists. Peyton Sewell chipped in 12.
Gayle, Sierra Ward and Marissa Stockman all had three service aces, while Kortney Carney led the Fighting Hawks in digs with 12.
UND travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., next weekend to participate in the Western Michigan Tournament. The Fighting Hawks will compete against Wright State, Indiana State and Western Michigan.
After that, UND will host the UND Classic in the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Sept. 8-10. The Fighting Hawks will play Montana State and Fordham.
