BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Montana Tech's volleyball team got in the win column for the first time in 2026 in a big way Saturday, securing five-set victories over both Mount Marty and Spring Arbor on the second and final day of Olivet Nazarene's Tigers Kickoff Invite.
The Orediggers, which received votes in the preseason NAIA coaches' top 25 poll, began the day with a come-from-behind 21-25, 28-26, 23-25, 25-16, 15-6 win over Mount Marty. Montana Tech then finished strong with another late victory, topping Spring Arbor, 25-20, 20-25, 26-28, 25-21, 15-11, to complete the perfect day.
Payton Treadwell led the way with a pair of double-doubles for the Orediggers (2-1). She started the day with 14 kills and 13 digs in the victory over Mount Marty.
Halle Moomaw added 18 kills for Montana Tech,
Rhys Layton totaled 34 assists,
Brooklynn Hayes racked up 17 digs, and
Madison Biery made a team-best six blocks.
Moomaw put down four kills in the deciding fifth set.
Then, against Spring Arbor, Treadwell paced the Orediggers with 17 kills and 16 digs for her second double-double of the way.
Moomaw chipped in a team-best 20 kills, and
Talan Dodson added 13. Layton totaled up 48 assists for Tech, while Hayes made 27 digs and five aces, and Biery collected another six blocks.
Montana Tech will return home for its next action of the 2026 season this coming week with the Big Sky Volleyball Challenge at the Butte Civic Center. The Orediggers begin their action at the three-day tournament Thursday at noon against Indiana University East.
Visit Montana Tech athletics' home online,
GoDiggers.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news and coverage of the Orediggers. Give Montana Tech athletics a like on
Facebook, and follow the Orediggers on
X and
Instagram at @DiggerAthletics.
###
