Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | October 4, 2025 | Claire Gay DILLON, Mont. –  The Montana Western volleyball team (8-10, 6-5 FC) fell to #3 Providence (18-1, 11-0 FC) 3-1 Saturday afternoon in Straugh Gymnasium. "The team played tough today and were able to be competitive in a lot of adversity," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "We are looking forward to having three home games next week to get the second round of conference going." NOTABLES Maxine Hoagland and Olivia Rosborough both registered career highs with 7.0 blocks apiece. Megan Hardman recorded her second straight and fourth overall double-double (28 assists, 11 digs). UMW recorded their second straight 10+ block effort with 11.0 total blocks in the match.   MATCH SUMMARY The opening set was a battle, with Western showing their determination in the extra-points 31-29 win. Providence displayed their offensive firepower in the remaining three sets. In the second frame the UP jumped out to an early lead and despite their best efforts, the Bulldogs couldn't close the gap and the Argos tied the game with a 25-15 win. They took the lead in a similar manner, taking set three 25-16. The visitors didn't let off the gas in the final frame, earning the 3-1 victory with a 25-16 win in the fourth. LEADERBOARD Dani Brown led the Bulldogs with 13 kills. Megan Hardman earned a season-best 28 assists. Taylor Ketchum recorded a game-high 23 digs. Maxine Hoagland and Olivia Rosborough shared the game high in blocks with 7.0 each. Sophie Worden , Madisyn Frazier , Morgyn Harrison , and Megan Hardman all landed one service ace.   SPLIT BOX UMW outperformed Providence in service aces (4-3), but were bested in kills (49-57), assists (47-52), digs (74-82), and blocks (11-13) LOOKING AHEAD The Bulldogs are back next week for three more home contests. Up first, Montana Tech on Oct. 8. First serve is set for 7 p.m.  MT

Game Recap: Football | October 4, 2025 | Claire Gay The Montana Western football (4-1, 1-0 FC West) earned its second straight 20-point win at Southern Oregon (1-4, 0-1 FC West) Saturday with a commanding 40-20 victory. It was Head Coach Ryan Nourse's first-ever win in Ashland. "Great win for the team in a place that's really hard to get a win at,"  Nourse said. "SOU fought hard and made it tough. We ran into an entirely new defense doubling Nourse on every play, and I am so proud of our offensive line and running backs for stepping up in running the ball and dominating the game. We played really well in the defensive backfield, they got after the ball and secured a bunch of interceptions. It was a good team win." The UMW offense totaled 470 yards of total offense, marking its fourth straight game with over 450 yards. The Bulldogs earned 21 first downs and converted on six third downs and one fourth down. Western ran for a season-best 207 rushing yards and added 263 passing yards. The Red and Black scored on five-of-six red zone chances Quarterback Michael Palandri threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard toss to Seth Shook for UMW's second score of the game. Shook was the Bulldogs leading receiver, tallying 86 yards and two touchdowns on three receptions. Jonathan Kirkley (65) and Eli Nourse (62) also got in on the action, though uncharacteristically, neither managed to find the end zone. With the Raiders' defense focused on slowing down Western's prolific passing game, the Bulldogs ground game took off. Aidan Lammers rushed for a game-best 79 yards and one touchdown while Jakob Humphrey added 64 yards and two TDs, including a 58-yard effort to put UMW up 21-7 at the end of the first quarter. Maclain Burckley went two-of-four on PATs and two-of-three on field goals in the contest. He also averaged 50.0 yards per punt, including a monster 66-yard effort, which is the longest in the Frontier Conference in 2025. Nourse led all returners with 68 yards and a long of 64 yards. Connor Dunlea led the Bulldog defense with nine total tackles, including six solos. Tyler Walker , Reece Stanish , and Devin Crow recorded 1.0 tackles-for-loss apiece. Crow also earned a team-best 1.0 sack for nine yards. Dunlea, Brady Mounts , and Jace Fitzgerald each snagged and interception in the game. It was Mounts third interception in as many games. LOOKING AHEAD The Bulldogs return home next Saturday when they face off against Carroll College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT.

BUTTE, Mont. —  A 49-year-old woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday on Interstate 15 near Butte. According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the woman was driving a Honda Ridgeline southbound near mile marker 132 when the vehicle veered off the roadway, went down an embankment, and struck a delineator post before overturning. Investigators say the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol. The woman’s name has not yet been released pending notification of family.

Cross Country October 3, 2025 Claire Gay POCATELLO, Idaho – Montana Western's Brant Heiner and Olivia Heiner were the top Bulldog finishers at the Bengal Invitational Friday in Pocatello. Brant Heiner clocked a 27:29.1 to finish 37th out of 72 competitors in the men's 8k. Olivia Heiner ran a 20:46.4 to take 49th out of 61 runners in the women's 5k. The other finishers on the men's side included Harrison Silverio (54th, 29:33.1), Cael Thilmony (55th, 29:45.2), Kreg Butler (59th, 30:23.4), Tristan Von Bargen (62nd, 30:44.1), Noah Rovente (64th, 31:42.1), Mason Lynch (66th, 32:37.9), Brody Henry (67th, 32:46.1), and Bridger Wheeler (70th, 35:06.3). Brant Heiner , Thilmony, and Von Bargen all achieved season bests in the 8k. On the women's side, Madison Faulkner (60th, 27:40.7), and Kylee Wyatt (61, 28:15.3) rounded out the Bulldog finishers. LOOKING AHEAD The Bulldogs are back in action next week when they compete in the Yellowjackets/ Battlin' Bears Invite in Billings. The women's race begins at12 p.m. MT with the men following at 12:45 p.m. MT

The Beaverhead Trails Coalition (BTC), in partnership with the City of Dillon, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the Normal Street Bridge on Friday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m. (MT) . Community members, partners, and the media are invited to attend on site at the bridge on Normal Street between Washington and Pacific Streets. The new span restores a vital walking and biking connection across the Dillon Canal. The Normal Street Bridge has long served residents on Dillon’s southwest side and is a key link in a safe walk/bike route that connects historic neighborhoods, the University of Montana Western campus, and the hospital. After years of deferred maintenance, the previous bridge was deemed unsafe and removed in the winter of 2022–23; the new structure reestablishes that connection and advances BTC’s vision of a community with easy access to active transportation.

HELENA  – When the Montana Legislature passed House Bill 328 earlier this year, it expanded hunting privileges for Montana residents 75 years of age and older.  Currently, residents aged 62 and older can purchase various hunting and fishing licenses at half price, such as conservation licenses, fishing licenses and tags for different game animals.  The new provision allows residents who are 75 years or older to use a general elk license to harvest an antlerless elk on private lands during any season in a hunting district where youth under 15 may harvest an antlerless elk.   The hunting districts where residents 75 years of age and older can harvest an antlerless elk on private land with general elk licenses are located in western and southwest Montana. They are:  Region 2   Region 3   201, 204, 210, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 240, 261, 270 (North of Rye Creek), 280, 281, 285, 291, 292, 293   All hunting districts in Region 3, except 309, 310, 313, 324, 388, 391, 392.   Hunters looking to take advantage of this opportunity should be familiar with the regulations. Youth hunt opportunities that are equal to these opportunities for resident hunters and 75 years and older can be found in a chart on page 126 of the 2025 Montana Deer, Elk, Antelope Regulations .

HELENA –  Waterfowl season across Montana opens on Oct. 4. This includes ducks, mergansers, geese and coots. Swan hunting is allowed only by special permit. Last year, FWP introduced a new Migratory Bird Stamp to raise awareness of wetland habitats in the state. The stamp is commemorative only and not required to hunt in Montana. Proceeds from migratory bird license sales will support wetland habitat conservation and restoration. Reminders for the 2025 season: The Central Flyway is divided into two “zones” in order to increase opportunity (see map on page 8 in the Waterfowl Regulations ). The two zones have different season dates. Zone 2, includes Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, Treasure and Yellowstone counties. Zone 1 includes all other counties in the Central Flyway portion of Montana. Be aware of split seasons and carefully note closed and open days for hunting and note zone differences. All split seasons have been eliminated except for Central Flyway Zone 2. Special restrictions apply when hunting at Canyon Ferry. See exceptions on page 7 of the Waterfowl Regulations . To purchase a license, go to fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply .

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana City Council Chambers Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   A.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA   B.        MINUTES 1.         Approve the Minutes from September 17 th , 2025 Regular Meeting   C.        PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS               1.         Statement from the Police Commission 2.         Reading of Protests on SID 3.         Discuss/Approve Citizen Complaints   D.        MAYOR’S REPORT 1.         Resolution of Intent #1500 To Set a Hearing Date For Affirming and/or Establishing City Fees and Setting Date for Final Action 2.         Resolution #1501 Creating SID #38 3.         Discuss/Recommend HB 231 & SB 542; Property Tax Changes   E.        REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS OF THE CITY 1.         City Attorney – Ed Guza                         a.         Discuss City Council Attendance Requirements for Contract Attorneys 2.         Planning Board - Bill Shafer, Raymond Graham                         a.         Accept the Minutes of July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting 3.         Zoning Commission - Russ Schwandt, Anneliese Ripley                         a.         Accept the Minutes of September 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 4.         Board of Adjustments - Diane Armstrong, Joleen Schultz 5.         Director of Operations – Kristina Abbey 6.         Police Department –Police Chief Joel Stewart 7.         Fire Department -- Fire Chief BJ Klose 8.         City Court – Judge Bill Knox 9.         Library Board - Diane Armstrong, Council Member; Kim Denny, Library Director                         a.         Accept the Minutes of July 29, 2025 Regular Board Meeting 10.       Tree Board                         a.         Approve May, 2025 Minutes                                     i.          Approve Changes to By-Laws             F.        REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1.         Ordinances & Facilities – Bill Shafer, Chair; Joleen Schultz, Mary Jo O’Rourke                         a.         Approve the Minutes of September 18, 2025 Regular Meeting 2.         Finance Committee – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Diane Armstrong, Mary Jo O’Rourke a.         Approve Minutes of September 25, 2025 Finance Committee-Budget                                     i.          Approve Fund Summary for Claims for September 2025                                     ii.         Approve Claims by Vendor Report for September 2025                                     iii.        Approve Mayor’s Report to the Finance Committee for September 2025                                     iv.        Approve Budget vs. Actual Report for September 2025 3.         Public Services – Diane Armstrong, Chair; Bill Shafer, Don Deem 4.         Open Spaces – Raymond Graham, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Joleen Schultz 5.         Public Works – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Raymond Graham   G.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE  AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY   H.        ADJOURNMENT   PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for microphone and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your microphone until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

Beaverhead Search and Rescue News Submitted by Kolby Malesich: Commander   Beaverhead Search and Rescue was called out for a search for a missing hiker early evening Thursday September 11 th .  A hiker had gotten separated from her family climbing Comet mountain late that afternoon.  A storm came thru and family members could no longer see or hear their missing family member and nightfall was near.   The unit dispatched 4 teams who connected with local Grasshopper Valley VFD volunteers and then searched throughout the night on foot and with UTV’s, drones, and member vehicles.   The unit also leveraged Air National Guard resources from Malstrom AFB to search the area…they were unable to locate hiker as hiker lacked flashlight or other signaling methods that would have enabled a quick recovery.  The missing hiker was eventually found alive & uninjured Friday mid-morning and S&R teams assisted them off the mountain.   The hiker was fortunate for relatively mild temps and conditions overnight.  A total of 18 members participated in this search that took approximately 18 hours start to finish.   Thanks to Steve Mock, Josh Yeadon, Dusty Crowe, Jack Bazemore, Adam Norlander, David Broadhead, Charles Weidow, Kolby Malesich, Cole Cottom,  Evan Helle, Mark Smith, Alex Dunn,  & Charles Wharton for responding as well as Brad Wagner, Zane Wood, Jason Erikson, and Tara Remely for serving as Incident Command.  Special thanks to Grasshopper Valley Fire Department for helping coordinate the initial phase of the search and for use of their building to support resource coordination.      On September 18 th , S&R was called out in the morning to find a hunter who was hunting alone in Gibbonsville area west of Wisdom.  He’d been messaging his family via Garmin InReach 2-3 times a day during his trip but then unexpectedly stopped day prior, causing concern for out of town family members.   S&R dispatched 4 teams and the hunter was eventually found safe & sound near his campsite.   It was later determined that the hunters InReach had needed a reset and had become unable to send additional messages.   Thanks to MD Peterson, Darby Peterson, Jake Peterson, Steve Mock, Josh Yeadon, Jack Bazemore, James Matthews, Trent Cottom, Jason Erickson for responding and Brad Wagner, Russ Sigman, and Tara Remely for serving as Incident Command.   On Sunday September 28 th , S&R hosted approximately 17 young people for our first annual Youth First Aid & CPR training.   Janelle Handlos taught the CPR & First Aid portions of the training, and S&R members also touched on some basic principles for how to not get lost in the wilderness but also some basic steps to take if you do.  It is our hope to offer this to youth in our community annually.   Thank you to Janelle Handlos for partnering with S&R on this event and to the S&R Events Team for hosting a great event.

DILLON, Mont. — [September 30, 2025] — Bicentennial Inc. has officially opened its 2025 grant cycle to support programs and services that improve the lives of senior citizens in Beaverhead County and the Ruby Valley of Madison County. Applications have been mailed to past grant recipients, and new applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline of October 31, 2025. From 2022 through 2024, Bicentennial Inc. distributed more than $640,000 in grant funding to organizations serving local communities. “Supporting senior citizens has always been at the heart of our mission,” said Fred Morganthaler, spokesperson for Bicentennial Inc. “Through these grants, we are able to continue investing in programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors throughout Beaverhead County and the Ruby Valley.” Bicentennial Inc. was formed following the 2022 sale of Bicentennial Apartments Inc. The apartments were originally established in 1976 as a community collaboration to provide safe, affordable housing for seniors in Dillon, Montana. The building was constructed on the site once known as the “cabbage patch” on West Center Street and for decades served as subsidized housing for countless local residents. When the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to sell the property, proceeds from the sale were used to establish Bicentennial Inc. as a foundation dedicated to continuing this legacy of service. Grant recipients for the 2025 cycle will be announced at the Bicentennial Inc. annual banquet on December 5, 2025. Representatives of recipient organizations must be present at the banquet to receive their awards. For more information about the grant process, please contact: Fred Morganthaler Vice President bicentennialinc@gmail.com 406-670-1586

UMW Sports Press Release DILLON, Mont. –  The Montana Western women's rodeo team earned a share of the team title with 425 points at its home rodeo and final event of the Big Sky Region fall slate. The men's rodeo team placed second with 380 points. "I am very happy with the way the kids competed," Head Coach JT Robbins said. "I think we are leaving the fall season healthy and in a good place. We are excited for the spring." LONG GO RESULTS Barrel Racing Laura Haight placed first in the Barrels with a time of 17.17 while Maddie Eskew finished in fourth at 17.36   Goat Tying Brooke Richey's 7.4-second run was good enough for a fifth place showing.   Breakaway Roping Brooke Richey and Teely Bott tied for third, each posting 3.2-second tries. Josie Robbins placed just behind them, tying for fifth with a time of 3.5 seconds.   Team Roping Tavy Leno and Clay Pendergrass took fourth with a 10.0 second run. Kaylee Kesl and Teagen Arnold finished fifth at 10.4 seconds.   Tie-Down Roping Teagen Arnold's 11.3 seconds in the Tie-down earned him second in the long round. Steer Wrestling Bry Severe placed third in the steer wrestling with a 5.5-second effort. Bareback Riding Coy Montgomery took first in Bareback with a score of 71 Bull Riding Westen Wade finished second on night one of the Bull Riding, scoring a 73.   SHORT GO RESULTS Barrel Racing Laura Haight placed fifth in the short-go Barrels, turning in a 17.41-second effort. Goat Tying Tavy Leno took home second in Goat Tying at 7.1 seconds. Breakaway Roping The Bulldogs swept the Short Go Breakaway. Tynell McInenely won the event in a swift 2.9 seconds, followed by Josie Robbins in second (4.1 seconds) and Jacee Winward in third (5.5 seconds). Team Roping Konnor Ward and Carson Daniels placed third in the Team Roping with a time of 18.1 seconds. Tie-Down Roping Cooper Pavkov's 12.3 second effort earned him fourth in the tie-down (30 points). Teagen Arnold turned in a 17.9 second run to take sixth. Steer Wrestling Cooper Pavkov took home third in the Steer Wrestling with a time of 5.6 seconds. Bareback Riding Coy Montgomery improved upon his day one score, posting an 80 to take the Short Go Bareback title. Saddle Bronc Cade Costello took second in the Saddle Bronc (72) while Chase Martin finished fifth (63)   Bull Riding Gavin Knutson finished second in the Short Go Bull Riding with a 79 with Westen Wade following right behind in third at 78 AVERAGE Barrel Racing Laura Haight's two-run time of 34.58 landed her in first place in Barrels average and earning her 60 points for the team. Goat Tying Tavy Leno posted a two-round time of 14.8, good enough for third place and 40 points for the Bulldogs. Breakaway Roping UMW had five riders earn points in the average breakaway. Tynell McInenly won the average with a combined time of 6.5 seconds (60 points). Josie Robbins (7.6 seconds, 50 points) and Jacee Winward (9.1 seconds, 40 points) rounded out the top three. Brooke Richey and Teely Bott tied for sixth with single-round scores of 3.1, earning five points each.   Team Roping Konnor Ward and Carson Daniels placed third in the Team Roping with a two-run time of 30.3 seconds for 40 points. Tavy Leno and Bry Severe's one-round time of 10.0 seconds earned them sixth for 10 points. Bareback Riding Coy Montgomery's aggregate score of 151 put him in first in the Bareback event, earning UMW 60 points. Bull Riding Westen Wade placed second overall in the Bull riding with a combined score of 151, winning 50 points for the Bulldogs. LOOKING AHEAD The Bulldogs will return to action in the spring with six more regular-season events.

UMW Sports Press Release HELENA, Mont. –  The Montana Western volleyball team (7-9, 5-4 FC) were clipped 3-1 by (RV) Carroll College (10-6, 6-3 FC) Friday. Errors hurt the Bulldogs against the Fighting Saints, with UMW committing 34 to Carrolls 23. MATCH SUMMARY Carroll jumped out to an early four-point advantage in set one, and though the Bulldogs closed the gap to just two at one point, the Fighting Saints snagged the 1-0 lead 25-21. UMW bounced back in the second frame with a commanding 25-15 win to even things at one set apiece. The third set was a back-and-forth affair, but the host managed to pull away at the end, winning 25-18 to make it 2-1. Montana Western's offense stalled in the fourth, allowing Carroll to run away with the match with a 25-14 victory in the final frame. LEADERBOARD Averi Look paced the team with 11 kills, followed by Jordan Olson with 10. Megan Hardman tallied a team-best 17 assists. Taylor Ketchum posted a game-high 21 digs. Jaiden Perez led the way at the net with a game best 6.0 blocks. Savana Warburton , Madisyn Frazier , and Jayda Ward all recorded one ace. SPLIT BOX UMW outperformed Carroll in kills (42-40), assists (41-37), digs (73-66) and blocks (7-5), but were bested in aces (3-5). LOOKING AHEAD Western is back home for five straight matches in Straugh Gymnasium. First up is MSU-Northern Oct. 3.

HELENA, Mont. –  Montana Western football's Seth Shook was named Erck Hotels/ Frontier Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week Monday after a career outing in the #9 Bulldogs win over #20 Dickinson State. This marks the first Player of the Week honor of his career. "Seth was locked in all week and prepped really well for everything that was going to come his way," Head Coach Ryan Nourse said. "He blocked relentlessly and took advantage of the throws that came his way and had an incredible performance." Shook was the epitome of efficiency against the Blue Hawks, catching three touchdown passes on three total receptions in the contest. The sophomore wide receiver caught a career-long 75-yard touchdown reception to get things started offensively for the Bulldogs. His two other TD catches were also over 20 yards, going for 21 in the second quarter and 28 in the third. The Richland, Wash., native earned career-highs in both receiving yards (124) and single-game touchdown catches (3). It also marked the second time this season that he tallied over 100 receiving yards. LOOKING AHEAD Montana Western travels to the Pacific Northwest this week to take on Southern Oregon Saturday (10/4). Kickoff is set four 1 p.m. PT / 2 p.m. MT.

DILLON, Mont. – The University of Montana Western football team (3-1) earned a statement win on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 20 Dickinson State 41-21 at Bulldog Stadium. Head Coach Ryan Nourse described the game as “a roller coaster,” noting his team’s ability to push through inconsistency and finish strong. “That’s hard to keep any consistency in any aspect of the game,” Nourse said. “I am really happy that we put together a good fourth quarter, ran the ball well, and finished strong to put away a good DSU team.” Offensive Firepower Quarterback Michael Palandri led the charge for the Bulldogs, completing 17 of 23 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score. He connected on six completions of 20+ yards, including a 75-yard strike in the first quarter to set the tone early. Eli Nourse and Seth Shook proved unstoppable in the receiving game. Nourse: 199 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 65-yard catch. Shook: 124 yards and three scores on just three receptions. UMW finished with 464 yards of total offense, averaging 10.5 yards per play. The Bulldogs scored on all three of their red-zone trips and converted four of eight third-down attempts. Defensive Standouts Montana Western’s defense piled up a season-high 92 total tackles, including 48 solo stops. The unit also logged six tackles for loss and three sacks while forcing a fumble and grabbing an interception. Tyler Walker: 14 tackles Jace Fitzgerald: 13 tackles, fumble recovery Reece Stanish: 9 tackles Devin Crow: 8 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble Brady Mounts: interception (his second in as many games) In total, 20 different Bulldogs recorded a tackle, with nine posting five or more. Dickinson State Recap The Blue Hawks (now 2-2) managed 353 yards of offense, with 212 of those on the ground. Quarterback Hudsen Grovom accounted for all three DSU touchdowns (two rushing, one passing), while Jackson Simonson led with 64 rushing yards. Defensively, Dickinson State tallied 44 tackles, one sack, and an interception. Dylan Dahlgren and Shel Osborne paced the Blue Hawks with six tackles each. With the win, Montana Western improves to 3-1 and hands Dickinson State its second loss of the season. The Bulldogs now turn their focus to the road, traveling to face Southern Oregon on Oct. 4. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT / 2 p.m. MT. click here for tickets and info Click here The Hunt for Squatch starts 10/01 New customers mention this ad get 10% off

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | September 25, 2025 | Claire Gay Photo Credit Terri Haverfield BILLINGS, Mont. –  The Montana Western volleyball team (7-8, 5-3 FC) dominated Rocky Mountain (0-12, 0-8 FC) 3-0 Thursday evening in Billings. The Bulldogs held the Battlin' Bears under 20 points in all three sets. "I thought tonight was an all-around great team win," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "I was extremely impressed with our defense today and the team's ability to extend plays." UMW hit a .250 clip as a team, including hitting .300 in two of the three sets played. The Bulldogs held Rocky to a .026 hitting percentage on the night. Individually, three players hit over .350 for Western, led by Jordan Olson at .421 (10-19). Jaiden Perez (.385, 7-13), and Kennedy Lingenfelter (.364, 5-11) finished second and third, respectively. The nine aces by the Bulldogs are tied for second most in a single game this season. MATCH SUMMARY Big runs by Montana Western allowed the team to lead by as many as nine early in the opening set, and the Bulldogs increased their lead to 12 at the end take the 1-0 lead 25-13. The second frame saw the Battlin' Bears briefly take the lead 6-5, but UMW quickly regained control and claimed the second set 25-18. Western started the final set with a 10-3 run and led by as many as 12. RMC made a late push, but the Bulldogs completed the sweet 25-19. LEADERBOARD Olson led the way offensively with a game-best 10 kills. Taylor Petersen registered a game-high 19 assists. Taylor Ketchum paced all players with 22 digs. Olson and Perez shared the game-lead with five blocks apiece. Megan Hardman landed a game-best three service aces.   SPLIT BOX Montana Western held the statistical advantage in every major category, outperforming Rocky in kills (42-24), aces (9-3), blocks (9-1), assists (41-23), and digs (56-47). LOOKING AHEAD The Bulldogs return to the court tomorrow when they take on Carroll College in Helena. First serve is set for 7 p.m. MT