Glendale, Ariz.- After a slow start, Arizona Christian put up a fight against NAIA number 20 ranked Montana Tech on Thursday evening.  But the Orediggers outlasted the Firestorm.

Match Info

• Match scores
  • Set 1: MTU 25-14
  • Set 2: MTU 25-21
  • Set 3: ACU 25-22
  • Set 4: MTU 25-20
• Records: Arizona Christian - 11-10, Montana Tech - 12-6
• NAIA Top 25 Rank: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Montana Tech - 20
• Location: Firestorm Recreation Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats

• Sydney Brown - 11 kills
• Haley Tedrow - 9 kills
• Haley Duncan - 7 kills
• Emmi Jacobus - 7 kills
• Becca Thomson - 17 assists, 7 digs, 3 aces
• Kylie Rhodes - 20 assists
• Nikole Lunsford - 13 digs

Inside The Box Score

• Set one was only close at 2-1 before Tech took complete control of frame
• The Orediggers started the second set up 4-0
• A kill by Brown tied the set at 5-5
• MTU looked like they had pulled away with a 20-10 lead
• But ACU countered with a 9-0 run highlighted by two kills each by Brown and Tedrow
• Arizona Christian came out swinging in the third set as they led first whistle to last whistle
• Jacobus and Tedrow both notched four kills in the set
• The Firestorm had were ahead to begin the fourth set
• A block from Duncan gave ACU a 12-11 edge
• Tech took back the lead and kept it

Thoughts from Coach Briscoe
"Tonight we struggled out of the gate but found ways later on to stay in the fight.  Our middles did a great job producing for us offensively and this alleviated a lot of pressure from our pin attackers. Defensively I am very proud of our effort as we were able to contain their top three attackers and hold two of them far below their average efficiency.  Overall tonight will be counted as a success and will be the fuel to push closer to our potential for these upcoming conference matchups." 

Up Next
On Friday, Arizona Christian will play home and away on the same day.  They will host Kuyper College at 10 am before returning to GSAC play at Park Gilbert.  The evening match will be played at the Arizona Athletic Grounds at 6:00 pm.