BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Tech rallied back from a 2-1 deficit in the Big Sky Volleyball Challenge opening match Thursday evening. The Orediggers finished off the Northwest University Eagles in five sets 25-22, 23-25, 21-25, 25-12, 15-7.

The Orediggers (4-1) hit over .200 in the three winning sets including an impressive .421 in the fifth. Tech finished with 67 kills to 50 by Northwest.

As a team, the Orediggers finished with a .218 hitting percentage.

Karina Mickelson had a career high 27 kills to lead the Orediggers. The junior outside hitter finished with just three errors hitting .500 in the match. Mickelson added a pair of solo blocks and four block assists.

Junior Gena McMillan had 18 kills and freshman Maureen Jessop added 10.

Sabrina Hopcroft had 26 digs.

Freshman setter McKenna Kaelber finished with an impressive 55 assists.

Hannah Lord led the Eagles with 14 kills while hitting .184.

Keann White chipped in 11 and Abigail Broussard added 10 kills.

Montana Tech has two matches tomorrow in the annual tournament hosted at the Butte Civic Center. The Orediggers Bethel College (Ind.) at 11 a.m. and College of Idaho in a 7 p.m. night cap.