Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information
DILLON, Mont. – The no. 19 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (22-10) came back from a first set defeat to take down Oregon Tech 3-1.
"The team played really good tonight. We knew Oregon Tech was going to be a really tough opponent and they really showed that in full force today as their blocking was phenomenal," Head Coach Katie Lovett. "They have some really great athletes on that team."
The Bulldogs made history as they won their first ever home NAIA Opening Round playoff game, a year after they won their first ever NAIA playoff game.
"It was just a really exciting thing for our team to be really determined. We knew we wanted to get back to Sioux City and in the second set they really showed that determination and after that we just felt that momentum swinging our way," Lovett continued.
How It Happened
Jordan Olson got the Bulldogs off to a strong start, slamming down four kills to put UMW out 9-7 early in the first set. The Owls battled back and took a 4-0 run to a 16-13 lead. They would continue to put pressure on the Bulldogs as they closed the set on a 9-2 scoring run to win 25-17.
Oregon Tech continued to show their strength, taking a 10-4 lead in the early part of the second set. Jazi Smith broke the OIT run with a big swing to close the gap to five points, but the Owls continued to utilize the big swing from outside hitter Molly Grace to keep UMW chasing. Down 21-12, Smith knocked down a kill that sparked Western on an epic 13-2 scoring run to close the set on top 26-24.
Western utilized the momentum gained in the second set to start off the third frame hot. Kelsey Goddard served up an ace to give the Bulldogs a 13-5 lead early in the set. The Owls refused to give up though, fighting to close the gap within one late in the set at 23-22. Despite the late magic, Montana Western was able to gain a point on an error and close the set behind a kill from Smith at 25-23.
Montana Western combined for 10 kills in the fourth frame as they battled across the set with the Owls. Despite trailing 19-15 late in the set, the Bulldogs were able to tie it up following a solo block from Peyton Vogl. Tied at 23 all, UMW would get a point from Vogl once more and capture the win on the next point to win 25-23.
Notables
Tonight's win is the first home playoff win in Bulldog history and their first win in the series with OIT since the series began in 2010.
This is the second year in a row the Bulldogs have qualified for the NAIA final site.
The Bulldogs were led by Smith who tallied 20 kills and 23 digs in the matchup.
Danyel Martin was a key to the Bulldog defense, totaling eight blocks at the net.
Kaylee Fritz and Taylor Petersen combined for 40 assists in the match, good for 10 assists per set.
Up Next
The Bulldogs advance to the 2024 NAIA Volleyball Championships in Sioux City, Iowa that will be played from Dec. 4 through Dec. 10 at the Tyson Events Center. Pool play assignments will be announced this upcoming week.
Comments