LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Wesleyan had its most competitive conference match of the season and threatened to break into the win column but came up short in the end as Briar Cliff University defeated the Prairie Wolves 3-1 in GPAC volleyball action on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 17).  The Chargers won 25-10, 13-25, 26-24, 25-17 in the 8th Annual Dig Pink match for NWU.

The first two sets of the day were not close with each team rolling to victories.  In the first set the score was 9-6 in advantage of the Chargers before they went on a 16-4 run to close out the set.

Set two was completely opposite as the Prairie Wolves jumped out to a 6-1 lead and cruised to the victory.  BCU pulled within two points at 10-8, but the Prairie Wolves took command and outscored the Chargers 15-5 the rest of the way.

By far the most competitive set and the one that ultimately decided the outcome was set three.  The score was tied at 20-20, 21-21, 22-22 and 23-23 as moments became tense.  A kill by Kierra Harder put the Prairie Wolves up 24-23 for set point.  Two straight NWU errors gave the Chargers a set point, then they sealed the win with a block at the net from Ruthie Schmitt and Breanna Nogelmeier.

The final set was close early on as NWU trailed just 11-10 before the Chargers got hot and errors began to mount for the Prairie Wolves.  BCU went on a 12-3 run and closed out the match 25-17.

Briar Cliff had a big day with 51 kills and just 11 errors for a .333 hitting percentage.  Katelin Langel was the top performer with 16 kills and only two errors.

Malory Dahl was the star for the Prairie Wolves with 17 kills and a .350 hitting percentage.  Kierra Harder also got into double figures for kills with 13.  Kelsey Bahe had 44 total assists, while Kennedy Hegert recorded 20 digs.