SIOUX CITY, Iowa- The Orediggers of Montana Tech started the match on fire, scorching the Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon 25-12. Unfortunately, the Mounties were able to shake off the first set burns to end the Orediggers season by a score of 3-1. (25-12, 27-29, 21-25, 22-25)

Tech just couldn't miss in the first set, hitting .375 as a team, with 11 total kills, and only two errors.

The second set looked like it was going to burn just as hot as the first, as the Diggs jumped out to a 12-3 lead.

Then, Eastern Oregon started to get their first bit of momentum, outscoring Tech 14-5 to tie it up at 17-all. The teams battled and exchanged points until Eastern sealed the second with back-to-back kills, to win a very important set 29-27.

The third and fourth sets each witnessed tremendous effort from the Orediggers, but they just couldn't get over the hump and send this war to a fifth set.

The one-two punch of Olivia Muir and Maureen Jessop led the Diggs with 16 and 13 kills respectively. Senior Middle Blocker Taylor Henley racked up six kills, and an impressive seven blocks.

Both teams 'hustle meters' were running in the red, not giving up any easy points. For the Orediggers, Jelena Jablanov accrued 21 digs, and Sarah Hopcroft had 15, both were all over the floor. Rhys Layton and McKenna Kaelber both did a great job spreading the ball through the offense. Rhys with 20 assists, and McKenna with 19.

The Orediggers will close the 2023 season with an incredible 24-6 record, including an 8-2 mark in conference. The season witnessed the Orediggers win the regular season conference championship, as well as the highest-ever rating in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 poll, at No. 9.