The Montana State University–Northern volleyball team showed its resilience Friday morning, overcoming a first-set loss to defeat Arizona Christian 3-1 at the Butte Civic Center.
The Skylights dropped the opening set 25-21 before responding with three consecutive set victories, taking the second 25-19, the third 25-14 and the fourth 25-18. The victory moved MSU-Northern to 2-0 on the young season.
Arizona Christian came out strong offensively in the opening set, recording 17 kills on 34 attacks while hitting .382. MSU-Northern countered with 11 kills and a .308 hitting percentage, but the Firestorm held on for the 25-21 win.
The Skylights found their rhythm in the second set. Although Arizona Christian finished the frame with 11 kills, the Firestorm committed 12 attack errors and hit -.021. MSU-Northern took advantage, winning the set 25-19 to even the match.
The third set proved to be the turning point. MSU-Northern's defense and blocking presence began to take over as the Skylights limited Arizona Christian to a .000 hitting percentage. MSU-Northern hit .276 and pulled away for a commanding 25-14 victory.
The Skylights then closed out the match in the fourth set. Arizona Christian managed only a .030 hitting percentage, while MSU-Northern finished at .136. The Skylights secured the match with a 25-18 fourth-set win.
While Arizona Christian finished with more kills, 49-36, MSU-Northern dominated the match at the net. The Skylights recorded
13 blocks compared with just two for Arizona Christian, a difference that helped turn the momentum after the opening-set defeat. MSU-Northern also held a 61-54 advantage in digs.
Caleigh Case led the Skylights' blocking effort with an impressive
nine block assists and 12 total points, while
Kendall Scheffelmear added four blocks.
Addison Falls Down and
Emily Bird each finished with
15 assists, giving MSU-Northern a balanced offensive attack.
Macy Uffelman and
Holly Newman paced the Skylights with seven kills apiece, while
Josie Hasler and Case each added six kills. Uffelman hit .333, while Case was particularly efficient, recording six kills on just nine attacks for a .444 hitting percentage.
Falls Down also contributed
14 digs, three block assists and two service aces, putting together a strong all-around performance.
Kambria Maloy added nine digs, while Uffelman recorded 10.
Arizona Christian was led offensively by Zuri Reeser with
13 kills, followed by Madison Sherby with 12. Reeser also recorded two service aces, while Kiah Lerma led the Firestorm with 12 digs.
The victory gives MSU-Northern a
2-0 start to the 2026 season. After falling behind early, the Skylights responded by winning three straight sets and finishing the match with a decisive advantage in blocking, helping them secure another victory at the Butte Civic Center.
