GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The CSUB volleyball team made three comebacks in search of its first win of 2010, but those three proved one too few as Gonzaga held on at the end for a 25-22, 25-14, 19-25, 25-27, 15-13 win in match eight of the North Dakota Classic Saturday in Grand Forks.

Sophomore libero Lauren Holderman (Bakersfield HS) all players with a career-high 33 digs, the eighth-highest total in CSUB history. She earned all-tournament honors for her efforts.

The Roadrunners climbed out of a 2-0 hole to tie the match before nearly pulling out the miracle win in the fifth. CSUB clawed its way back after falling behind 22-17 in the fourth set to tie the Bulldogs at 23-23. But Gonzaga had four swings to finish the match at 24-23 before a Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) kill tied it again. Freshman Haleigh Haratyk (Corona, Calif./Centennial HS) put down the final three kills for CSUB to force the decisive fifth set.

The 'Runners found their backs against the wall again in the fifth set, trailing 12-9, before two more Haratyk kills sparked a 4-1 spurt that tied the final set 13-13. But a service error and a Gonzaga block finally saved the match for the Bulldogs.

Haratyk and DeGeare led all attackers with match-highs of 18 kills apiece for CSUB. Both players completed double-doubles with 17 and 14 digs respectively. Junior setter Danielle Gong (Stockdale HS), the first setter in CSUB's 6-2 attack, added a career-high 36 assists.

NORTH DAKOTA 3, CSUB 0

The Roadrunner comeback effort began early Saturday in a 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 loss to host North Dakota. Trailing two sets to none, CSUB seemed ready to force a fourth set, leading 23-18 and 24-21 late in the third. But a 7-1 run gave the Fighting Sioux their first match point at 25-24. A Tika Smith (Sweetwater [Texas] HS) kill kept CSUB hopes alive briefly before UND finished the match with a pair of kills.

DeGeare led the 'Runners with nine kills against UND. Haratyk added a team-high 10 digs playing in her first collegiate match.

CSUB continues its seven-match, season-opening roadtrip Sept. 1, beginning the most difficult stretch of opponents in school history at New Mexico State.