September 19, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Dakota State (S.D.) opened Saturday's Frontier Conference volleyball match with a first-set victory, but No. 24-ranked Montana Tech responded by winning the next three sets for a 3-1 victory at the DSU Fieldhouse.
The Trojans won the opening set 25-20 before the Orediggers answered with victories of 25-22, 25-11 and 25-20. Dakota State fell to 7-5 overall and 4-2 in Frontier Conference play, while Montana Tech improved to 11-2 overall and 6-1 in league play.
How it happened
The opening set featured several ties before Dakota State created separation late. With the score tied at 15-15, the Trojans used a 6-1 run to build a 21-16 advantage.
Macey Wathen and
Raya Van Beek each registered a kill during the run, while they also teamed up for a block.
Montana Tech trimmed the deficit to 23-20, but Van Beek stopped the run with a kill to set up set point. An Oredigger attack error completed Dakota State's 25-20 victory.
The Trojans collected 17 kills in the opening set and held Montana Tech to a .078 hitting percentage with 10 kills and six errors on 51 attacks. Dakota State hit .150 in the set.
The second set remained tight through the early stages before Montana Tech established a lead. Dakota State stayed within striking distance and cut the deficit to 24-22 on a Wathen kill, but the Orediggers secured the final point for a 25-22 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
Montana Tech raised its hitting efficiency to .311 in the second set, collecting 17 kills with three errors in 45 attempts. Dakota State totaled 15 kills and hit .224.
The Orediggers carried their momentum into the third set, producing their most efficient offensive performance of the match. Montana Tech committed no attack errors, finishing with 10 kills on 20 swings for a .500 hitting percentage.
Dakota State struggled offensively in the third, recording seven kills against nine errors for a minus-.077 hitting percentage. Montana Tech pulled away for a 25-11 victory and a 2-1 match lead.
Dakota State battled Montana Tech point-for-point for much of the fourth set. The teams were tied at 17-17 before the Orediggers began to gain separation.
After the Trojans tied the set again at 19-19 on a Van Beek kill, Montana Tech scored five consecutive points to reach match point at 24-19. Wathen answered with a kill to extend the match, but the Orediggers closed the contest on the ensuing rally for the 25-20 victory.
Inside the box score
Both teams finished with 53 kills, but Montana Tech held the advantage in hitting efficiency. The Orediggers committed just 12 attack errors in 156 attempts for a .263 percentage, while Dakota State had 26 errors in 179 swings and hit .151.
Montana Tech also held advantages in service aces (7-3), digs (87-85) and total blocks (13-3).
Wathen led Dakota State's offense with a season-high 17 kills and just three errors in 30 attacks for a .467 hitting percentage. She added two service aces and four digs.
Kaedyn Sapp added 10 kills, while Van Beek finished with eight kills and three block assists.
Kaylee Evenson contributed seven kills and eight digs, and
Ariel Hagen added five kills.
Gabi Borresen posted a double-double with 23 assists and 11 digs.
Emily Nelson added 21 assists, nine digs and a service ace.
Defensively,
Kate VanRooyan led the Trojans with 21 digs and added five assists.
Sydney Wathen collected 14 digs, while
Reagan VanRooyan finished with seven.
Montana Tech was paced offensively by Halle Moomaw with 17 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. Madison Biery finished with eight kills on nine attempts and no errors for an .889 hitting percentage. Kennedy Oman added eight kills and was a major presence at the net with three solo blocks and seven block assists.
Rhys Layton directed the Oredigger offense with 44 assists, seven digs and five block assists. Brooklyn Hayes anchored the defense with a match-high 32 digs and added three service aces.
Up next
Dakota State prepares for a busy week next week as they play three Frontier Conference matches. The Trojans play their traveling partner on the road Tuesday evening, visiting No. 16 ranked Bellevue (Neb.). First serve is set for 6 p.m. at BU Fieldhouse.
DSU returns home at DSU Fieldhouse next weekend. Dakota State hosts Valley City State (N.D.) Friday at 5 p.m. (Pajamas theme) and Mayville State (N.D.) next Saturday at 1 p.m. with the junior varsity match followed by the varsity match at 3 p.m. (Navy/Parents Recognition).
