DULUTH, Minn. – Behind a career night from sophomore outside hitter KaSandra Springer and another stout defensive performance from senior libero Janelle Lam, University of Sioux Falls Volleyball nearly pulled off an upset of No. 9 Minnesota Duluth for the second straight season, but the Cougars fell in four sets, 3-1 (25-22, 25-13, 17-25, 25-23) on Saturday night. The Cougars drop to 16-11 on the season with an 8-10 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
Springer earned her third start of the season and posted a career-best 13 kills on a career-high 42 attack attempts. The USF junior trio of Bria Barfnecht, Lexi Scott and Makenna Rockeman combined for 25 kills with each hitting above .230 for the match.
 
As her window to reach 1,000 career digs closes in her senior season, Lam made a big push with 24 digs on Saturday evening. It was the 23rd match this season she has picked up 10-plus digs and the fifth time she has eclipsed 20 in a match. Barfnecht nearly recorded another double-double, finishing with 15 digs and falling one kill short with nine in the match.
 
Barfnecht was also one of two Cougars to record a solo block as she and middle blocker Abby Feyereisen combined for seven of the Cougars' 10 blocks. USF was limited to a .167 attack percentage with Minnesota Duluth's 12 blocks playing a big role in holding USF below the .200 mark. UMD finished with a .243 attack percentage as Kate Berg and Sarah Kelly paced their offense with a combined 38 kills.
 
USF was limited to 11 kills in the first set and 10 in the second, hitting below .100 in each set. The Bulldogs capitalized and picked up 25-22 and 25-17 wins, respectively, in the opening sets.
 
The Cougars would not go down easy, fighting back much like they did to defeat Minnesota Duluth last season when the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1. The Cougars built a 16-9 lead in the third set on the back of three Springer kills and Scott stopped any chance of UMD getting back in the third set with two late kills.
 
USF held a four-point lead as late as 20-16, but a furious finish from Minnesota Duluth quickly halted the Cougars' efforts to force a fifth set. USF forced a pair of ties at 21 and 22 points but consecutive points brought UMD their first match point opportunity. Springer shook that off with her 13th kill, but UMD finished the math with one final kill.
 
The Cougars return to the Stewart Center to close out the regular season with Parents and Senior Appreciation Weekend. USF will host Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston on Nov. 10 and 11.