Valley City, N.D. - Mayville State volleyball opened up North Star conference play visiting their rivals, the Valley City State Vikings on Thursday night. The Comets fought tooth and nail in a raucous environment, but ultimately fell to the Vikings in three sets.

Set one featured 11 ties, as each team clawed to gain an advantage. Mayville State had a 4-0 run early to open up a small lead, only for Valley City to rally right back. The Vikings scratched out a small advantage late and was able to hold on for a 25-22 win.

Valley City scored the first three points of set two and set an ominous tone for the rest of the set. The Comets were unable to gain any momentum and a 9-1 run in the middle squashed any hopes of a comeback as the Vikings take set two 25-14.

The Vikings started set three in a similar fashion, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Mayville State rallied behind Nicole Kortan and took the next five points to take the lead. Valley City managed to take a small lead again and held onto it for most of the set until a 5-0 run by the Comets capped by a Samantha Passa ace gave the Comets a 22-20 lead. Both teams gave their all during the final rallies, but the Vikings scored the final three points to win the match 28-26.

Kortan (9) and Samantha Passa (8) combined for 17 kills on the night. Elora Passa add 19 assists, Thyra Peterick recorded four blocks and Natalie Hadrava was all over the court, racking up 34 digs in only 3 sets.

The loss drops the Comets record to 8-4, 0-1 in the North Star. Mayville State travels to Dickinson to take on the Blue Hawks Friday night, first serve is 7pm (CT).