DICKINSON, N.D. — Dickinson State erased a two-set deficit and nearly completed the comeback Saturday morning, rallying from 13-10 in the fifth to tie the deciding set before Montana Western secured a 3-2 (25-18, 25-19, 17-25, 21-25, 15-13) Frontier Conference victory at Scott Gymnasium.
The Blue Hawks moved to 6-17 overall and 5-11 in Frontier play, while Montana Western improved to 12-11 and 11-5.
It marked the second time this season Dickinson State has rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set at Scott Gymnasium. The Blue Hawks completed the comeback Sept. 19 with a five-set victory over then-No. 8 Providence.
Saturday's match also provided a reversal from the teams' first meeting Sept. 11 in Dillon, Montana, when Dickinson State won the opening two sets before the Bulldogs rallied to force a fifth.
After Montana Western took the opening set 25-18, Dickinson State built a 15-10 advantage midway through the second. Taylor Gaer served an ace during the stretch as the Blue Hawks put themselves in position to even the match, but the Bulldogs rallied for a 25-19 win.
Dickinson State responded in the third.
After falling behind 3-0, the Blue Hawks worked their way in front and continued to create separation. A Cate Floy kill pushed the advantage to 20-15 before Dickinson State closed the frame with 4 straight points for a 25-17 victory.
The Blue Hawks found another level offensively in the fourth, putting down 17 kills with only 2 errors to hit .349.
Montana Western tied the set at 21, but Dickinson State answered immediately. Aubrey Allison delivered a kill to regain the lead, Carmen Pallone followed with another and Rylee Kogolshak eventually put down the set-ending kill as the Blue Hawks scored the final 4 points for a 25-21 victory.
The comeback sent Dickinson State to its fourth five-set Frontier match of the season.
Montana Western held the advantage throughout the deciding set, but the Blue Hawks continued to answer. Trailing 13-10, Dickinson State made one final push as Allison and Floy delivered consecutive kills before a Bulldog attack error tied the set at 13.
After a Montana Western timeout, Olivia Rosborough recorded a kill for match point before the Bulldogs finished the 15-13 decision with a block.
Pallone led a balanced Dickinson State attack with 17 kills while hitting .311. She also contributed 2 solo blocks and 4 block assists.
Floy added 16 kills on .308 hitting, giving the pair 33 kills while both finished above .300. Allison recorded 13 kills, 12 digs and 3 aces.
Kogolshak directed the offense with 47 assists and added 5 kills, 7 digs and an ace. Geraldyne Fernandez led the Blue Hawks with 24 digs, while Gaer collected 17 and Ashtynn Egan added 16.
Dickinson State finished with 59 kills and hit .218, its best hitting percentage in Frontier play this season. The Blue Hawks also recorded 7 service aces and 81 digs.
Dickinson State returns to Frontier play Friday at Providence in Great Falls, Montana.
