It's been one heck of a ride for the UMSL volleyball program (25-9) this season.

As the poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote: all good things must come to an end.

And the Tritons' postseason road came to an end Friday evening at the 2021 NCAA DII Midwest Regional semifinals, where the top-seeded host Ferris State outlasted the Tritons in straight sets, 25-15, 25-21, 25-18 to advance to Saturday's regional championship match against Hillsdale.

The loss is bitter sweet, as the season gave a truckload of memories to players, coaches, parents, students, and fans.

Yet, it brings a conclusion to the jubilation that has served as the 2021 backdrop -- when players won weekly awards, gained all-tournament notoriety, and a handful of postseason accolades.

The Tritons' success this year has set a new benchmark under the tutelage of head coach Ryan Young.

In short, another brick has been inserted into the successful, balanced foundation that is Tritons volleyball.

This year's NCAA Tournament appearance was the fifth in school history, and the third in the past decade.

UMSL made what seemed to be the appropriate adjustments in the second set, as they owned 2- and 3-point advantages at multiple junctures, but the top seeded Bulldogs just would not fade into the night.

The 'Dogs rattled off six straight to create the deciding separation in the third.

UMSL finished with a .120 percentage to the Bulldogs' .354.