SACRAMENTO—The Vandal's stay at the Big Sky Tournament got cut short by North Dakota for the second consecutive season. The second-seeded Fighting Hawks ended Idaho's season in four sets, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-22.

Idaho finishes the season 18-11 overall. The Vandal's 18 wins marked the most since 2013. The Vandals split the Big Sky North title for the second time in four seasons, sharing the division lead with North Dakota.

"We were picked to finish sixth or seventh in the preseason," head coach Debbie Buchanan said after Friday's match. "I am really proud of the girls. We battled all year and got better. This is a hard way to go out."

The Vandals had won six straight matches entering the night's semifinal matchup with North Dakota. Idaho came out strong in the first set, opening with a 4-1 run. UND fight right back to take the lead from Idaho, setting off a series of lead changes. The first set featured nine total ties and six lead changes. The set was anyone's for the taking in the final points. Kaela Straw tied the match at 21, helping Idaho close the frame on a 5-2 run. Straw secured the, 25-23, with a denial of Ashley Brueggeman at the net.

North Dakota (29-7) came back in the second set well adjusted. The Fighting Hawks took the second set, bringing the match to even at the break.

UND kept the foot on the gas in the third, minimizing the Idaho attack.  Sydney Griffin totaled three blocks in the set, helping UND record five blocks in the set. The Vandals struggled to get the ball to the floor, hitting .000 percent (9-9-30) in the frame. Jordan Vail and Faith Dooley each at four kills in the set for UND as the Fighting Hawks cruised 25-16.

The Vandals had their chances in the fourth, getting out to a 9-5 lead. North Dakota wiped away the advantage tying the set at 16 and taking an 18-17 lead three points later. A kill from senior Torrin Crawford tied the set at 18, but Idaho could not get over the hump.

"North Dakota made some adjustments," Buchanan explained. "I felt like they did a better job of adjusting than we did. We made some adjustments to the game plan in the fourth set. They [UND] are a little more seasoned. They definitely were the better team tonight. It was a good match and I'm proud of our girls for what they have done."

Junior Sarah Sharp passed 900 kills for her career on the night. She led the team with 12. Straw ended her night with 11 kills. Crawford got into double-figure, closing with 10. Alycia Wodke led Idaho with 22 digs. Delaney Hopen matched her career-best with 16 digs.

Junior Haylee Mathis capped off the season with her sixth double-double. She ended with 41 assists and 10 digs.

UND had four players record double-figure kills. They were led by Vail and Dooley, who each finished with 14.

Idaho is set to return a large core next season. The Vandals only lose three players to graduation. Sharp, Straw, Wodke and DeVonne Ryter, all individual honored by the conference this week, return for next season.