NDSU Volleyball defeats Montana 3-1 for the third time in a row

FARGO, N.D. – Bailey Randall scored a career-best 16 kills to help North Dakota State volleyball to its third consecutive 3-1 win over Montana on Saturday afternoon at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

Randall had the highest kills of the game with 16 kills on 25 attempts and a hit rate of .440. He also had three digs and two blocks. Ali Hinze narrowly missed a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs, while Lauren Jansen also reached double digits with 12 kills. Maddy Dombeck scored her first double-double with 23 assists and 12 digs, while Logan O’Brien contributed 15 digs, the best performances of the game.

NDSU (3-4) used a 5-0 run in the opening set to build an 18-13 lead after a service ace from Jansen. After both teams traded points, the Bison managed another 5-0 run to take the momentum, 24-15, after a service ace from Dombeck. NDSU won the set 25-16.

Montana (3-5) fought back in the second frame and secured a 17-15 halftime lead after a kill by Maddie Kremer. The Grizzlies then closed the set with an 8-2 run, winning the frame 25-18 and tying the game at 1-1.

Montana came into the third set with energy and took a 15-12 lead on a kill from Sierra Dennison. NDSU, which shot .323 in the set, responded with six straight points and took the lead (18-15) on a service ace from Jansen. The Bisons kept the Grizzlies at bay until the end and won the set 27-25.

NDSU continued its attacking rhythm through the fourth round with a .488 hitting percentage, the best of the match. The Bisons scored six straight points, capped off by a kill from Jansen, to take a 12-7 lead. NDSU then extended its lead to 22-14 with two kills from Randall and Jansen. The Bisons won the set 25-15 and the match 3-1.

NDSU will be back in action Thursday night at Arizona, with first serve set for 8 p.m. CT.