DICKINSON, N.D. — Dickinson State challenged Montana Tech throughout Friday night's Frontier Conference matchup, pushing the Orediggers in the opening and third sets before Montana Tech earned a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) victory at Scott Gymnasium.
The Blue Hawks moved to 6-16 overall and 5-10 in Frontier play, while Montana Tech improved to 17-4 and 12-3.
Dickinson State established an early advantage in the opening set, building a 14-10 lead before Montana Tech responded with 6 straight points. The Blue Hawks answered with a run of their own later in the frame.
Carmen Pallone served an ace before three consecutive Montana Tech attack errors helped Dickinson State move ahead 22-18. The Blue Hawks still held a 23-21 advantage late before the Orediggers scored the final 4 points for a 25-23 win.
Dickinson State remained competitive in the second and moved ahead 12-10 on a Taylor Gaer service ace. Montana Tech responded with a 5-point run to take the lead and eventually extended the margin to 21-16.
Pallone delivered consecutive kills to fight off 2 set points before Montana Tech finished the frame 25-20. Dickinson State hit .208 in the set, its best offensive percentage of the match.
The Blue Hawks came out quickly in the third. Gaer and Ashtynn Egan each recorded an ace as Dickinson State built a 10-3 advantage.
Montana Tech gradually worked back into the set and eventually tied the score at 19. The Orediggers then scored 6 of the final 8 points for a 25-21 win.
Pallone and Aubrey Allison shared the Dickinson State lead with 10 kills apiece. Pallone hit .222 and added 2 aces, while Allison recorded 14 digs.
Gaer turned in a strong defensive performance with a match-high 23 digs and added 2 aces. Rylee Kogolshak finished with 24 assists and 15 digs, while Geraldyne Fernandez added 17 digs, 5 assists and an ace.
Dickinson State's serving provided a bright spot throughout the match. The Blue Hawks finished with 6 aces against only 2 service errors and held Montana Tech to 2 aces.
Dickinson State returns to Scott Gymnasium Saturday for a 10 a.m. Frontier Conference matchup against Montana Western.
