Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information cover photo Tessa McNeil
DILLON, Mont. – The no. 13 ranked Montana Western women's volleyball team (10-4, 2-2) got back on track this evening after they defeated the RV Rocky Mountain College (9-7, 1-3) in a 3-1 matchup 25-21, 24-26, 27-25, 25-16.
"This was a great all-around team win tonight. The defense did awesome expanding their range and being confident in serve receive. Our setters did a great job spreading the ball around on offense and our offense did a great job being aggressive and smart," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "They worked hard this week on playing together and that is exactly what they did tonight against a strong Rocky team".
Senior setter Kaylee Fritz served up two aces in the match, marking her place in the UMW record books as she broke the career service ace record that was previously held by Paige Latimer (2011-14).
"Our offense really stepped up and we picked up a lot of balls on defense. We went into the game trying to work together and do it for each other and we did a great job at that." Fritz said after the win.
How It Happened
Rocky Mountain got a jump early in the first set, claiming a 10-7 lead to start. Jordan Olson tied the game up at 11 for the Bulldogs after she knocked down a kill and recorded a block on back-to-back points. After a service ace put Rocky up by a point, UMW rattled off five straight points to take a four-point lead. The Bulldogs would hang on to the lead to win the set 25-21.
Fighting for ground through the second set, the Bulldogs led 21-17 heading into the final stretches of the set. Rocky found momentum and went on a tear, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for five straight points to reclaim the lead at 22-21. Olson broke the streak and Kaitlyn Van Well added to the score to help the Bulldogs to a 24-22 lead. Rocky Mountain did not lay down though as they found a spark blocking at the net to take the final four points and win 26-24.
Down 9-4 in the third frame, Kelsey Goddard served the Bulldogs to three straight points as Peyton Vogl added a kill and a block to close the gap to two points. After trading points down the stretch, the two teams remained deadlocked at 23 all. A service error from Rocky along with a kill from Olson ended the set at 27-25 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Despite a rough start for UMW that saw Rocky go on a 6-2 scoring run, Jazi Smith gave the Bulldogs some life after knocking down a kill. Tied at 10 all, Smith went on a tear and had three straight kills to push UMW over the hump. They went on to close the final set out on top 25-16.
Notables
The Bulldogs hit their best hitting percentage of conference play so far with a .209 team percentage.
Smith totaled a season high 17 kills while also adding 21 digs in the back row.
Fritz and Taylor Petersen combined for a total of 49 assists in the four-set match, enough for a combined 12.25 assists per set.
Olson added 12 kills and a pair of blocks.
Vogl totaled five blocks in the game while also hitting for 10 kills.
Jaiden Perez had a season high 10 kills in the game.
Up Next
Western will hit the road for a matchup against Montana Tech in Butte, Mont. on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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