BUTTE – The Lady Diggers fought hard against the Battlin' Bears in the home opener Thursday night, but came up just short in the final frame. Rocky took down Tech 26-24, 25-19, 21-25, 19-25, 15-10.

Montana Tech (12-5, 2-2) drops their home opener after winning their last two conference matches on the road.

Rocky (11-3, 3-1) wins their second straight match. The Bears are receiving votes in the current NAIA Coaches' Poll.

The Diggers barely dropped the first game and battled back into the match winning the third and fourth frames. At the net,
Tech outhit Rocky 71-60; but Rocky had the edge in blocking 19-8 in team blocking.

Freshman Jordan Danz led the strong attack with 19 kills and a 0.200 hitting percentage. She added two blocks to her totals.

Sophomore Sydney Norris turned in her best match of the season with 16 kills and a 0.297 hitting percentage. She also had 21 digs in the match.

Freshman Bailie Cortner and junior Korey Krumm had 10 kills each.

Kimmy Kavran led the defense with 29 digs.

Ahlea Billis led Rocky while hitting 0.226 on the night. She also had four total blocks.

Montana Tech hosts Dickinson State Friday at 5:30 p.m. on Kelvin Sampson Court at the HPER Complex.