The MSU-Northern Skylights fell to Montana Western in four sets (18-25, 25-21, 20-25, 11-25) on Friday.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 13-5 lead in the opening set and extended it to 21-7. The Skylights battled back with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 17-23, but Western closed out the set.

In the second, the Bulldogs again started strong, leading 9-4, but Northern responded with a 6-2 run to take the lead 15-13. The Skylights kept the momentum, stringing together key points down the stretch to even the match at one set apiece.

Western regained control in the third, starting 7-2 before Northern fought back to tie it 11-11. The Bulldogs answered with a 5-0 run and held off the Skylights to take the set. Western carried that momentum into the fourth, taking an early 10-4 lead and closing out the match with a series of big runs.

The Skylights finished with 40 kills, a .065 hitting percentage, six blocks, 37 assists, and 79 digs. Lexa Stock led with 10 kills, while Macee Selman added 8 kills, 18 assists, and 15 digs. Baily Egan anchored the defense with 22 digs.

The Bulldogs tallied 53 kills on a .150 hitting percentage, 12 blocks, 48 assists, and 83 digs. Jordan Olson led Western with 12 kills and a .417 hitting percentage. Megan Hardman dished out 27 assists, and Taylor Ketchum recorded 22 digs.

The Skylights move to 8-8 overall and 6-4 in conference play.