AUSTIN, Tex. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team had a solid performance in day one of the Hilltopper Classic, as it defeated the University of Texas- Permian Basin, 3-2, in the first match, but fell 3-2 in the afternoon against Midwestern State University, with both matches going to five sets.

Black Hills State falls to 2-4 and UTPB falls to 2-3 on the season, while MSU improves to 3-2. 

Game 1: BHSU 3, UTPB 2

After trailing 2-0 and forcing a set five, the Green and Gold rallied back to win the match 3-2 against UT Permian Basin. BHSU fell in sets one and two, but took sets three, four, and five. The scores went as follows: 25-17, 25-16, 25-19, 25-14, and 15-9.

In the third set, Black Hills State got the momentum going as three errors by the Falcons and a kill by Cheyenne Palu gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-3 lead. From there, UTPB came within one point at 9-8, as an error by the Green and Gold allowed the Falcons back in it.

However, it was not enough as BHSU ran away with it, going on a 6-0 run to increase the lead 15-8. That was enough for the Yellow Jackets to close out the set, 25-19, and trail 2-1 in the match.

Looking to force a fifth set, the Green and Gold dominated in the fourth set. At 15-9, the Yellow Jackets went on a 6-0 run to increase their lead by 12 points. The run started on a service error by the Falcons. From there, freshman Reilley Baty served for five of the six points, with Ellise Lech getting the kill for the second point in the run. The run was enough for the Green and Gold to close the set out at 25-14, force a set five, and tie the match, 2-2.

In the fifth set, the Falcons jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in hopes of stopping the Yellow Jackets. However, BHSU went on a 5-0 run to take the lead over at 5-2. From there, the Green and Gold kept the lead and closed out the set, 15-9, and end the match, 3-2.

"After dropping the first two sets, I was very pleased with our maturity and fighting spirit," said head coach Kristin Carmichael. "Winning in five with our backs against the wall was a great way to start the tournament. Our blocking and offensive adjustments really made the difference in the match."

Sierra Stugelmeyer led the offense tallying 11 kills, followed by Kenzie Kazmer with 10. Laurel Lech registered a double-double with 39 assists and 22 digs.

On defense, alongside Lech, Sydney Ederhoff recorded 21 digs. Cheyenne Palu dominated in blocking, tallying 11 blocks. The team registered 15 blocks.

Game 2: MSU 3, BHSU 2

Leading the match 2-0, the Yellow Jackets could not hold on as they fell in their final match of the day to Midwestern State in five sets, 3-2. BHSU took sets one and two, and fell in sets three, four, and five. The scores went as follows: 25-23, 25-12, 25-20, 25-22, and 15-7.

In set one, the two teams kept it close and they each traded off points and the lead for most of the game. At 23-all, Laurel Lech set up Ellise Lech for the kill to give the Yellow Jackets the go-ahead point at 24-23. The Mustangs gave the set away on a service error for BHSU to win it, 25-23, and lead the match 1-0.

In the second set, the Yellow Jackets set the pace going on a 5-0 run. Fehrin Ward tallied the first kill for BHSU to grab the first point. Sierra Stugelmeyer served for the second point, with E. Lech getting the kill. Ward served for the final three points of the run, with E. Lech and Cheyenne Palu each getting a point and Ward getting an ace.

From there, BHSU ran the score up to an eight-point lead at 9-1. The Mustangs hitting was off as all four of the Yellow Jackets points were scored off errors by MSU, until a kill by Sarah Eakin ended the BHSU run at 9-2. However, the Green and Gold kept the momentum the duration of the set, as they ended it 25-12 to lead the match 2-0.

In the third set, the two teams battled, as they traded off points until 19-all. The Mustangs found their momentum, as they grabbed the go-ahead point off a kill by Raven Presley to lead 20-19 and start a 4-0 run. From there, the Mustangs took set three, 25-20, and trailed 2-1 in the match.

The fourth set was a battle for both teams. Fehrin Ward tied the set at 20-all with a service ace, trying to help BHSU close out the match. However, the Mustangs were not going down without a fight, as they forced a set five. At 22-all, MSU grabbed the last three points off kills by Rockelle Gholson and Addison Semer, and an error by the Yellow Jackets, to end the set, 25-22, and tie the match 2-2.

The fifth set was a nail-bitter, as the two teams traded off points until 7-all. From there, MSU went on an 8-0 run to take the set, 15-7, and the match, 3-2.

"It is hard to be on this side of the coin," said Carmichael. "We had opportunities and didn't capitalize. We fought hard early and then when they made adjustments, we didn't counter fast enough. It's all about finishing and we are still working on that."            

Ellise Lech led the offense with 13 kills, while Stugelmeyer and Kazmer were right behind with 11 and 10, respectively. Laurel Lech tallied 40 assists.

Ederhoff led the defense with 18 digs, followed by Reilley Baty with 14. Palu tallied four more blocks for the Green and Gold.

Black Hills State returns to action Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to take on Southern Arkansas University followed by St. Edward's University at 3 p.m. for the final day of the Hilltopper Classic.