DILLON, Mont. — Dickinson State built a two-set lead Friday night, but Montana Western rallied to defeat the Blue Hawks in five sets in Frontier Conference play.
The Blue Hawks fell to 2-9 overall and 1-3 in the Frontier, while Montana Western improved to 4-7 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Dickinson State won the first two sets 30-28 and 25-21 before Montana Western responded with 25-20 and 25-21 wins to force a fifth set. The Bulldogs took the deciding set 15-13.
Dickinson State had an opportunity to close out the match in the fifth, scoring the first five points and later building an 8-2 advantage. Montana Western cut into the lead, but the Blue Hawks remained in front 13-10. The Bulldogs then scored the final five points, tying the set at 13 before completing the comeback with a 15-13 win.
Carmen Pallone led the Blue Hawks with 14 kills while hitting .256. Aubrey Allison added 12 kills and a season-high 28 digs, while Ashtynn Egan finished with 11 kills and 14 digs. Cate Floy added 10 kills.
Rylee Kogolshak directed the offense with 42 assists, matching her season high, and added 16 digs and six blocks. Paige Rose finished with 24 digs, while Geraldyne Fernandez recorded 20 digs and three service aces.
Dickinson State finished with 54 kills, 47 assists, five service aces and a season-high 12 total blocks. Pallone, Kogolshak and Macie Wheeler each finished with six blocks. The Blue Hawks also recorded 120 digs and hit .100 for the match.
Dickinson State continues its Frontier Conference road trip Saturday at Montana Tech (RV) in Butte, Mont.
