TYLER, Texas - The UT Dallas volleyball team pushed #5 Ferris State in a 26-24, 25-18, 25-18 straight-set loss at the Herrington Patriot Center on Friday night.

In the opening set, both teams exchanged points closely, with the Comets (0-3) briefly taking a lead at 18-14 following a service ace by Kira Braun. The Bulldogs (3-0) responded with a service ace streak from Emma Bleecher, tying the score at 21-21. The set intensified as both teams battled, with FSU's Gabby Piazza and UTD's Jane Burkhardt trading crucial kills, holding the score at 24-24. However, a service ace from Logyn Geren clinched the set for Ferris State, 26-24, ending a tense and competitive first set.

In the second set, UTD and Ferris State traded points early, with the Comets leading briefly at 4-2 after an ace by Averi Frazier. The set remained tightly contested until the Bulldogs pulled ahead 12-9, propelled by consecutive kills from Piazza. Later in the set, FSU extended its lead to 16-11, with Emily May and Bleecher contributing crucial kills. Despite a late surge from the Comets, highlighted by Burkhardt and Moriah Johnson kills, the team from Michigan maintained control, with Hayley Wegener assisting on multiple plays, and clinched the set 25-18 on a final kill by Piazza.

The final game started with a 4-0 run by Ferris State, highlighted by Lyndsey Urick's two early kills. The Comets managed to close the gap to 8-7 with a service ace and kill from Johnson, but the Bulldogs extended their lead once more. Despite service aces from Burkhardt helping UTD to a 13-18 scoreline, FSU capitalized on attack errors to secure the set. Ferris State sealed the set 25-18 with a block by Wegener.

The Comets hit .117 with 28 kills, six aces, four blocks and 42 digs. The Bulldogs hit .313 on 47 kills, eight aces, five blocks and 55 digs.

UT Dallas Performances
Jane Burkhardt - 13 kills, 2 aces, 8 digs
Kira Braun - 10 assists, 2 aces, 8 digs
Mari Hernandez - 12 digs, 1 ace, 3 assists
Moriah Johnson - 6 kills
Jada Williams - 2 kills, 1 block, 4 digs

Ferris State Performances
Emma Bleecher - 10 kills, 18 digs, 3 aces
Hayley Wegener - 32 assists, 3 aces, 2 blocks, 7 digs
Gabby Piazza - 12 kills, 7 digs

Up Next
The Comets wrap up the Patriot Classic on Saturday against Mississippi College at 1 p.m.