Montana State Defeated Montana at Dahlberg Arena

The Bobcats secured a 3-1 victory and reclaimed the Main Line Trophy before a record crowd in Missoula.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Volleyball

Montana State Defeated Montana at Dahlberg Arena

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Montana State overcame an initial set loss to defeat Montana 3-1 in a Big Sky Conference matchup. The win allowed the Bobcats to reclaim the Main Line Trophy in front of a record attendance of 3,012 spectators at Dahlberg Arena.

Why it matters

The result represents a significant early-season conference victory for Montana State while shifting the standing of the rivalry trophy. Both teams now look to adjust their strategies as they navigate their respective Big Sky schedules.

Montana State dominated the net with 14 total blocks compared to 5 for Montana. Teagan Jaynes led the effort with 44 assists to help the team finish with a .234 hitting percentage.

The players

Montana State

The Bobcats are a Division I volleyball program competing in the Big Sky Conference.

Montana

The Grizzlies represent the University of Montana in collegiate volleyball competition.

Teagan Jaynes

She is a key playmaker for the Montana State volleyball team.

Nicolette Noble

She is a defensive standout who recorded 21 digs in the rivalry match.

The details

After dropping the opening set, Montana State surged to win three consecutive frames, securing the 3-1 victory. Nicolette Noble contributed significantly to the defensive effort, recording 21 digs during the match.

September 22, 2026: Montana State defeated Montana at Dahlberg Arena.
November 20, 2026: The teams will meet again in Bozeman.

Season Trajectory

This win positions Montana State at 1-0 in Big Sky play, providing critical momentum for the conference season. The result forces Montana to regroup early in the year as the Bobcats shift their focus to maintaining the Main Line Trophy.

The 3-1 win pushes Montana State to a 1-0 conference record, while Montana falls to 0-1. The outcome immediately determines possession of the Main Line Trophy and establishes early-season standings dominance within the Big Sky.

The takeaway

Montana State demonstrated strong defensive capability by doubling their opponent's block total in a high-pressure rivalry environment. Maintaining consistent hitting percentages above .200 remains a key focus for the team as they proceed through their conference schedule.