A touch at the edge of a player’s fingertips can make or break a single point.

Split-second plays define each battle for control, where a slight error can tip the balance between victory and defeat.

Following a five-set battle, UCLA women’s volleyball (7-5, 1-2 Big Ten) fell to No. 12 Minnesota (9-4, 2-1) tallying its first loss at Pauley Pavilion this season Friday night.

“I’m really proud of our team,” said coach Alfee Reft. “We found a way through the third and the fourth, and had our chances in the fifth – just not sharp enough to execute at the end and take the match.”

The Bruins have met the Golden Gophers seven times, incurring a loss in their last matchup in the 2016 NCAA Regional Final. Friday night’s 3-2 loss, however, marked the teams’ first clash in Westwood and as members of the same conference.

A kill by junior outside/opposite hitter Grayce Olson began a shift for UCLA during an eight-point deficit in the first set. Leading the match with 54 assists overall, graduate student setter Audrey Pak then catapulted the Bruins with a dump, shortening the point gap further. She later assisted graduate student middle blocker Anna Dodson, who followed through with a kill the following point, moving the score to 18-16. The Bruins would get within one, 22-21, but the Golden Gophers went on a 3-0 run to ultimately win the set.

Dodson dominated offensively, notching five kills to assist the Bruins in establishing a 9-3 lead early in the second set. She also led the match in kills overall with 20 at a .462 clip.

“Tonight, what was on display was our hearts and us truly fighting,” Dodson said. “The amount of fight that each player brought collectively – whether they were on the court, off the court – was just phenomenal.”

In the third set, an ace by graduate student defensive specialist Kate Reilly marked the beginning of a comeback. Kill by kill, Reft’s roster once again proved its attacking abilities with contributions from junior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette, Olson and graduate student middle hitter Leilani Dodson.

A tip from freshman outside hitter Kiki Horne slipped past the fingertips of the Golden Gophers’ blockers, allowing the Bruins to take the third set and marking the 15th kill of the frame.

“When it gets really tight in the long rallies our team tries to focus on the point at hand,” Pak said. “That helps us stay in it and not think about the big picture and get overwhelmed.”

The Bruins defense was on full display throughout the tight fourth set, with Anna Dodson notching a block to formulate a turnaround point alongside Pak.

In the end, the Bruins incurred a fourth loss against a ranked opponent and their first under the lights of Pauley Pavilion.

Despite the loss, Anna Dodson said the team is only moving forward in their path.

“We are in such a great position,” Dodson said. “We are going into tomorrow with fire in our eyes and fire in our hearts – ready to go.”

The Bruins return to Pauley Pavilion on Saturday for a clash against Michigan.