Bulldog Volleyball Takes Down #24 Dakota State In Five-Set Thriller

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | October 23, 2025 | Claire Gay

DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western volleyball team (11-14, 9-9 FC) defeated #24 Dakota State (14-9, 10-8 FC) in an electrifying five-set match (21-25, 30-28, 25-14, 18-25, 15-11) Thursday evening.

It was the Bulldogs first win over a ranked or receiving-votes opponent since Sept. 5 when they beat then (RV) Valley City State 3-1.

"Tonight was a great and gritty team win," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "We had a lot of people contribute in different ways which really made a difference when it came down to the wire."

NOTABLES

• Three Bulldogs hit at least .300 in the match; Kennedy Lingenfelter (.367), Olivia Rosborough (.304), Antonia Duncan (.300).

  
  

• Four players reached double figures in both kills and digs

  
  

• Duncan earned career highs in both kills (nine) and hitting percentage (.300).

  
  

• Megan Hardman recorded her seventh double-double in her last eight appearances.

  
  

• As a team, UMW hit a blistering .435 clip in the final set.

MATCH SUMMARY

The match was a nail-biter from the first set, with the two sides trading the lead until the Trojans managed to pull away 25-21 to take the 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs bounced back in the second and leveled things 1-1 with a marathon 30-28 win. The momentum was fully with UMW in the third frame, as the team cruised into the 2-1 lead with a 25-14 win. Dakota State proved their resilience in the fourth, forcing a fifth set 25-18. In the decider, Western took an early lead and held off the visitors, securing the win 15-11.

LEADERBOARD

• Averi Look led the Bulldogs in kills with 16.

• Taylor Petersen tallied a team-high 31 assists.

• Madisyn Frazier earned a game-best 20 digs.

• Kennedy Lingenfelter posted game highs in blocks (6.0) and hitting percentage (.367).

• Frazier, Petersen, and Megan Hardman each landed one service ace.

SPLIT BOX

Western held the statistical advantage in nearly every category, including kills (69-59), assists (65-54), digs (92-84), and blocks (11-8). Dakota State won the battle in service aces (5-3).

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bulldogs return to Straugh Gymnasium next weekend when they welcome Carroll College (10/31) and Rocky Mountain (11/1) for the final two home matches of the 2025 regular season.