Box Score SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Despite nine kills and seven blocks from Olivia LaBeau, the 15th-seeded Montana Tech volleyball team fell in straight sets, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22, to No. 23 seed Missouri Baptist Thursday afternoon in the Orediggers' Pool B opener at the NAIA National Tournament.

Montana Tech (20-11) also saw great efforts out of Kinnidi Willmore, who registered a team-best 10 kills, and Jelena Jablanov, who led the Orediggers with 11 digs, but it wasn't enough to top the Spartans.

The Orediggers leapt out to an early lead, holding a 7-4 advantage in the opening set after a Rhys Layton ace. Tech led 14-10 following a pair of Emmy Green aces, but then the Spartans put together a run. Missouri Baptist took the lead at 18-17 and held on to win the first.

MBU held the advantage throughout the second. The Spartans held a narrow early lead before extending it to 21-12 with a 9-1 run. The Spartans finished off the set, 25-17.

Montana Tech recovered in the third, building an early advantage that turned into a back-and-forth affair in the middle points. The Diggers' 14-13 lead was their last of the match. Back-to-back Spartans points put the lower seed in front, and a pair of kills by Gabi Jakubowska over the final four points put the match away.

Jakubowska led Missouri Baptist with a match-best 17 kills.

Layton totaled 27 assists for Montana Tech, and Emmy Green had three aces to go with her four digs.

Montana Tech will continue pool play at the national tournament Friday at 3:30 p.m. with a match against No. 2-seeded Indiana Wesleyan.

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