CANYON, Texas — In its back-and-forth final match of the Lady Buff Classic, the Northern Michigan volleyball team fell to Adams State, 3-2, Saturday afternoon.

With the result, the Wildcats wrapped up Lady Buff Classic action with a 3-2 record. They topped Eastern New Mexico (3-2) and McKendree (3-1) and fell to host West Texas A&M (3-0).

"It was a tough loss," head coach Dominic Yoder said. "This one stung, but I'm proud of how our team competed over the last three days. We learned a lot and will be prepared for next week."

Northern Michigan opened the match with a commanding 25-16 win in the first set. After building a 10-2 lead, the Wildcats never allowed the Grizzlies within seven points.

Adams State responded with a commanding victory of its own, taking the second set, 25-13. In the third set, the teams traded points in the early goings, being locked in seven ties. But Northern Michigan used a 4-0 run to pull ahead, 16-12, and then closed out the set by winning the last four points.

The fourth set was the closest of the match. The Grizzlies managed to eke out a 25-21 win to force the decisive fifth set after erasing an early 9-5 Wildcat advantage. Once Adams State tied the set at 14, the teams were tied four more times. With the teams tied at 18, the Grizzlies closed out the win by going on a 7-3 run.

In the fifth set, Adams State built an early 5-0 advantage that Northern Michigan was not able to overcome en route to its 15-8 victory.

Madison Whitehead (15), Bridget Bussell (12) and Kayla Chosa (12) all reached the double digits in kills. Jami Hogeboom reached the 50-assist plateau for the first time this season and fifth time in her career with 51.

"Madison led us offensively," Yoder said. "Bridget, Kayla and Jami also did a very nice job of running the offense."

The Wildcats, now 3-2, return to action next weekend when they compete at the UW-Parkside Tournament Sept. 9 and 10.