JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The University of Jamestown volleyball team thought they had their ticket punched to the final 16 in the NAIA Volleyball National Championships in Sioux City, Iowa on Thursday only to see Viterbo come back and steal their bid.

After winning their final pool play match against St. Xavier 3-0 (28-26, 32-30, 25-13), the Jimmies moved to 2-1 in pool play and just needed undefeated Southern Oregon to hold off Viterbo. A VHawk win would create a three-way tie at 2-1 on top of Pool G.

Viterbo trailed two sets to nothing, but stormed back to win the final three and force a tie. Southern Oregon was selected as the Pool G champion due to tiebreak scenarios. That forced the Jimmies and VHawks into a one-set tiebreak late on Thursday night in Sioux City.

The Hawks controlled the final set, leading the entire way. Jamestown only tied it twice after trailing 3-0 to start. Viterbo won 25-21 and moves onto the round of 16 and will play Northwestern at 9am on Friday.

Jamestown’s season comes to end at 24-9.