BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Western played tight volleyball earning the upset on the road at No. 9 Montana Tech. The Bulldogs handed the Orediggers their first conference loss in a sweep 25-22, 25-19, 25-20.

The Orediggers (14-4, 3-1) picked up their first loss after winning seven straight matches, all against Frontier Conference opponents including the preseason tournament which doesn't go on the conference record.

The Bulldogs (15-2, 3-1) charged out of the gate and built a 20-13 lead in the first set. The Orediggers mounted a rally going on a 9-2 run tying it at 22 all. After a Tech block and hitting error, the Bulldogs put an end to the first set. 

The Orediggers chased the Bulldogs in the final two sets struggling to take a lead. Tech finished with 19 attack errors hitting .145 in the match. The Bulldogs had a slim margin of 40-38 in kills but played cleaner finishing with 13 attack errors and a .229 hitting percentage. 

The Bulldogs also had the advantage in aces against the Orediggers that lead the league in that category. Western led 5-2 while Tech finished with seven service errors. 

Maureen Jessop and Olivia Muir had 10 kills apiece but combined for 12 hitting errors. 

Olivia LaBeau had seven kills and just one error hitting for .375 on the night.

Rhys Layton led Tech with 17 assists and had 13 digs. 

Jelena jablanov had 15 digs. 

Danyel Martin led the Bulldogs with nine kills and 14 swings and no errors hitting for .643 hitting percentage and four blocks. 

Kaylee Kopp, Peyton Vogl, and Jordan Olson all finished with eight kills. Olson also finished with no hitting errors and a .500 hitting percentage. Kopp and Vogl had four each as the four Bulldogs had 33 kills and eight errors for the match. 

Kaylee Fritz led the team with 21 assists. Kelsey Goddard had 23 digs.

Tech and Western are not tied on top of the Frontier standings with just one match left before the schedule makes the turn.

Montana Tech is on the road Friday when they travel to Helena to face the Carroll College Fighting Saints.