The Citadel scored 42 percent of its points thanks to Montana State’s mistakes and defeated the Bobcats 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18 at the University of Nebraska Husker Invite on Friday morning at the Devaney Sports Center.

Despite its mistakes, Montana State (1-3) had one of its most efficient sets of the season in the second frame, outscoring The Citadel (3-2) .375 to .297. The Bobcats committed just two errors on 40 attempts to win their only set of the match. MSU hit .129 in the final two sets, while the Bulldogs cruised at .308 for the win.

“We’re going through some growing pains,” MSU head coach Matt Houk said. “We’ve got to learn some things and who we are. We’ve got to consistently play to the potential that we’re showing in practice.

“We knew our schedule was going to be tough,” he added. “The kids are saying the right things, now they have to put it into practice on the field.”

Madilyn Siebler led MSU with 13 kills and 16 digs, while Camryn Groenwald And Jordan Radick– the Bobcats’ middle blockers – combined for 15 kills, a .286 attack percentage and five blocks. Nellie Stevenson dished out 43 assists, while libero Lauren Lindseth led MSU defensively with 22 digs, the most of the game.

Bobcat sophomores Joelie Spelt saw action on the outside and recorded a career-high seven kills. Redshirt freshman Erika Gustafson also recorded a career-high six kills and five blocks.

“We had to turn things around and it was fun to see Joelie and Erika on the field,” Houk said. “It’s not going to get any easier for us, so we have to rise to the challenge and control the things that we can control.”

Montana State plays #2 Nebraska on Saturday at 1:00 PM (MT)

SERIES 1: The Citadel took a 10-5 lead early in the game and extended the lead to 23-17 after blocks by Mackenzie Martin and Peri Hoshock. Montana State scored three straight points to close the gap, but the Bulldogs took the opening set on a kill by Ali Ruffin and a mishit by the Bobcat. Jourdain Kamps led MSU in the set with four kills, while Nellie Stevenson dished out 12 assists, and libero Lauren Lindseth own the backrow with nine digs.

SERIES 2: With the set tied at 14-14, Montana State went on a 6-1 run, fueled by two service aces. MSU held its lead until the end to tie the match at 1-1 after a Madilyn Siebler kill. The Bobcats outhit The Citadel .375 to .297 in the set, as MSU had just two hitting errors on 40 attempts. Madilyn Siebler, Camryn GroenwaldAnd Joelie Spelt led the Bobcat attack with four kills each. Jordan Radick two blocks placed and Lauren Lindseth five excavations added.

SET 3: Leading 22-21 in the final moments of the set, The Citadel played side-out ball and took a 24-22 lead after an MSU service error. The Bulldogs took the frame on an Ali Ruffin kill. Madilyn Siebler And Erika Gustafson led MSU with three kills each, while Nellie Stevenson registered 10 assists and Siebler six digs.

SERIES 4: Citadel outshot Montana State .387 to .000, allowing the Bulldogs to close the 15-15 score 10-3 and decide the game. Madilyn Siebler had four kills in the set, while Nellie Stevenson And Lauren Lindseth each added two service aces.