The Montana State University-Northern volleyball team battled back from a 2-1 deficit to earn a thrilling five-set victory over Dakota State University Friday night, winning 24-26, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 15-11.
The Skylights improved to
8-8 overall and 4-6 in conference play with the victory, while Dakota State fell to 9-7 overall and 6-4 in conference action.
Northern opened the match with an 11-kill performance in the first set but dropped the frame 26-24. The Skylights responded in the second set, hitting .245 with 15 kills and just two errors to even the match with a 25-20 victory.
Dakota State regained the advantage by taking the third set 25-23, setting up a decisive finish.
Northern answered with one of its strongest performances of the night in the fourth set. The Skylights overcame a .077 hitting percentage from Dakota State while recording 13 kills of their own to force a fifth set with a 25-22 win.
In the deciding set, Northern hit an impressive
.267, committing no attack errors while earning an 15-11 victory to complete the comeback.
Macy Uffelman led the Skylights offensively with
15 kills, while
Holly Newman added 12 kills and
Josie Hasler contributed 10. Uffelman also recorded 18 digs.
At the net,
Caleigh Case turned in a standout defensive performance with
eight blocks, including three solo blocks.
Kendall Scheffelmear added six blocks, while Hasler contributed four. Northern finished with
14 total blocks compared to four for Dakota State.
Kambria Maloy paced the Skylights defensively with a match-high
32 digs, while Hasler added 29 and Uffelman finished with 18. Maloy and
Emily Bird each recorded three service aces.
Addison Falls Down directed the Northern offense with
25 assists, while Bird added 22 assists. As a team, Northern finished with 57 kills, seven aces, 57 assists and 117 digs.
The Skylights return to action Saturday when they host
Bellevue University at 2 p.m. in Havre.
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