Seattle University pulled ahead, 8-5, in the final set thanks to two kills by Cristin Richards (Olympia, Wash.) and one by Janet Beckerman (Bellevue, Wash.). Beckerman contributed another kill and a block assist to give SeattleU a 12-8 lead, but Montana State won five of the next six points to pull into a 13-13 tie. Kaytlyn Dill (Bothell, Wash.) and Richards earned back-to-back kills to give the Redhawks the victory.
After going ahead in the fourth set, 4-2, Seattle University gave up four straight points to Montana State to fall behind. The Bobcats extended their lead to as much as four points, but the Redhawks pushed back, finishing the set on a 7-1 run with three kills by Dill, two kills from Beckerman, and a block by Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) and Kelly Biette (Brighton, Colo.) to force a deciding fifth set.
Richards led Seattle University with 19 kills, along with six digs and three block assists, while Dill earned 16 kills and Beckerman contributed nine kills. Mellies notched a double-double with 49 assists and 17 digs along with three block assists, and Jordan Keller (Mukilteo, Wash.) led the team with four total blocks. Libero Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, Calif.) also had 17 defensive digs, and Megan Augustavo (Shoreline, Wash.) contributed eight digs along with a team-high two service aces.
After dropping the first point after the intermission, Montana State scored the next six points, and then took control of the third set with a 12-1 run. SeattleU did not give up, winning four straight points to prolong the set before the Bobcats finally closed it out to take a 2-1 match lead.
Seattle University took the first three points of the second set and extended its advantage to 8-2. A 7-2 run by the Bobcats cut the Redhawk lead to one, but SeattleU answered by scoring six of the next eight points. Montana State ran off another 7-2 run to tie the set and later took the lead at 20-19, but a kill by Dill and consecutive kills from Richards allowed SeattleU to regain control, and a Bobcat attack error gave the Redhawks the set, tying the match at one set apiece.
Montana State (3-16) scored six of the first seven points of the match before Seattle University came back, scoring five unanswered points to tie the first set at 11-11. SeattleU forced six ties in the opening set but never took the lead, as Montana State finally put away the Redhawks with consecutive points at the end of the set.
Nicole Grypiuk led the Bobcats with 13 kills, with Kylie Edinger collecting 12 kills and a match-high nine total blocks and Taylar Barney accumulating 12 kills, two service aces, 11 digs, and five block assists. Setter Taylor Faught dished out 50 assists and also earned five kills and 13 digs, while libero Meghan Albiston finished the night with 24 digs and three service aces, both match highs.
Seattle University (6-18) heads back home to prepare for a three-match road trip, starting with back-to-back matches at Cal State Bakersfield Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. After facing #23 UC Irvine Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m., the Redhawks return to Seattle for the season finale against Saint Martin's Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Connolly Center starting at 7 p.m.