BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Western had momentum pumping going into the Frontier Conference Tournament semifinals upsetting Montana Tech 3-1.
The Orediggers (24-8, 9-1) couldn't stop the Bulldogs (12-16, 2-8) who played like they had something to prove as the entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed. Western defeated Carroll College in the quarterfinals just a few hours before in five sets.
Tech took the first set but Western had the rest with a final score of 25-19, 16-25, 18-25, 23-25.
The Orediggers were out hit by the Bulldogs 59-44 and couldn't find their rhythm finishing with a .103 hitting percentage. The Bulldogs hit for .222 in the match and had the advantage in team blocks with 12-5.
Olivia Muir led the Orediggers with 10 kills and
Maureen Jessop had nine.
Taylor Henley had seven kills and four blocks.
Olivia LaBeau finishing with eight kills.
Olivia Caddy had 26 digs.
Five Bulldogs had double-digit kills. Jazi Smith led the way with 14 kills and three blocks.
Danyel Martin and Peyton Vogl had 12 kills each. Jordan Olson and Kaylee Kopp added 10 each.
No. 17 Montana Tech waits for Monday to find out where they land in the NAIA National Tournament.
