FARGO, N.D. -- The IUPUI volleyball team struggled to gain momentum against North Dakota State, falling 3-0 on Saturday night at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

IUPUI (10-16, 3-9 Summit) did not pick up a win on their trip to South Dakota State and North Dakota State, going 0-2. Sophomore Hillary Houston paced the Jaguars with 16 kills. For the weekend, Houston had 30 kills in the two matches.

The Jaguars started well, battling The Summit-frontrunners throughout the first game. A 4-1 run with the score tied at 7 caused a North Dakota State timeout and appeared to spur the Bison who came back to build an 18-16 advantage.

Following an IUPUI timeout, North Dakota State extended their lead to four, leading 24-20. From there, the team traded points as the Bison took the first game, 30-25.

North Dakota State (17-6, 9-3 Summit) blitzed the Jaguars in the second game, racing out to a 6-2 lead to cause an IUPUI timeout. The break did not stem the tide, as the Bison went on a 15-7 run after the timeout to build a 21-9 advantage. The closest IUPUI would come was 10 points, at 29-19, before North Dakota State took the last point to win game two, 30-19.

Down two-game-to-none, the Jaguars battled back in the third game, playing the Bison even through the first 16 points. However, North Dakota State used an 11-2 run to open a 19-10 lead.

From there, North Dakota State cruised to the win and sweep, taking game three, 30-18.

IUPUI will return to the friendly confines of The Jungle for their final four games of the season, beginning with their Saturday, November 3 match against Centenary College. The action will begin at 7 p.m.