DICKINSON, N.D. -- Montana Tech's volleyball team began its weekend roadtrip with a hard-fought loss at Dickinson State, 25-16, 25-22, 26-24, Friday night. 

Senior Kinnidi Willmore led the Orediggers (12-9, 8-7 Frontier Conference) with 15 kills, while Brooklynn Hayes and Emmy Green led the defense with 13 digs apiece. Rhys Layton made a team-best 17 assists for Tech. 

Montana Tech leapt out to a 6-5 lead in the first set, but the Blue Hawks ripped off a 10-3 run to take control of the opener. Dickinson State rolled to take the set for an early lead. 

In the second, the two teams battled to a 16-16 deadlock before DiSU won nine of the final 16 points to take the commanding lead. 

Tech battled to set point in the third, leading 24-23, before the Blue Hawks (11-9, 7-8) took the final three points to complete the sweep. 

Montana Tech will look to get back on the winning track Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. Mountain, 2 p.m. Central match at Bismarck State. 

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