BUTTE -- The 17th-ranked Montana Tech volleyball team got the 2025 season off to a great start Thursday, grinding out a five-set victory over Campbellsville, 25-22, 10-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-8, on the opening day of the Big Sky Volleyball Challenge.

Senior Kinnidi Willmore led the Orediggers' attack with 11 kills, freshman Ellie Reinertson logged a double-double (10 assists, 10 digs) in her collegiate debut, and senior Emmy Green anchored the back row with a match-high 24 digs. Sophomore Madison Biery racked up six blocks, and Willmore chipped in five more. 

The Orediggers (1-0) started out blazing hot on the attack, hitting .441 in the first set behind four kills apiece by Willmore, Piper Jette, and Talan Dodson. After an ice-cold second-set, Tech regained its footing in the third by jumping out to a 9-3 lead and holding off a late Tigers charge. 

Campbellsville's defense kept Montana Tech on its heels in the fourth, holding the Orediggers to a .030 hitting percentage and forcing a fifth set. Tech dominated the fifth, closing the match on a 9-2 run. 

The victory made it three consecutive years the Orediggers have opened the season in the win column. Tech will look to add a pair more wins to its 2025 tally Friday with a pair of matches as the Big Sky Volleyball Challenge continues at the Butte Civic Center. The Orediggers play Evergreen at 9 a.m. before turning around to take on No. 24 William Carey at 6 p.m. 

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