The MSU-Northern Skylights battled hard but fell in five sets to No. 24-ranked William Carey University on Friday in Butte, Montana. The Crusaders claimed the 3-2 win by set scores of 30-28, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 15-8.

MSU-Northern finished with 63 kills, seven aces, and 84 digs, hitting .181 as a team. William Carey countered with 75 kills on a .211 hitting percentage, 97 digs, and 70 assists to close out the victory.

The Skylights looked sharp in the early going, controlling the first set until the Crusaders rallied late. Tied at 24-24, William Carey capitalized on key swings and pulled away 30-28. In the second set, the Crusaders again led most of the way, but Northern stormed back with a 10-2 run to go ahead 23-22. However, William Carey answered with the final three points to steal the set 25-23.

MSU-Northern refused to fold, racing out to a 5-0 start in the third set and holding on down the stretch for a 25-23 win. The Skylights kept their momentum in the fourth, using a 5-0 run to break open a tight battle and secure the 25-22 victory, forcing a decisive fifth set.

William Carey quickly seized control in the final frame, opening with a 6-0 run and never looking back in a 15-8 clincher.

Lexi Jones led the Skylights with 17 kills on a .483 hitting percentage. Josie Hasler added a double-double with 14 kills and 19 digs, while Macee Selman handed out 33 assists and picked up 17 digs.

On the other side, William Carey's Sofia Bettini powered the Crusaders with a match-high 27 kills at a .370 clip to go with 19 digs. Setter Maurin Teyes contributed 27 assists and 13 digs.

The Skylights will return to the court tonight at 6 p.m. when they face another nationally ranked opponent in No. 5 Eastern Oregon.