BUTTE, Mont. -- The Evergreen State College fell to Carroll College (Mont.) 3-0 on Saturday, Aug. 23 to conclude the 2025 Big Sky Challenge, hosted by Montana Tech. Carroll, which received votes but was not ranked in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll, won the match 25-12, 25-14, 25-9. The Fighting Saints upped their record to 4-0. The Geoducks moved to 0-4 on the season.

During the tournament, Evergreen played against four teams that were ranked for received votes in the NAIA Preseason Poll. University of Providence (Mont.) was ranked #10 and Montana Tech was ranked #17. Taylor University (Ind.) and Carroll received votes.

Against the Saints, Amaialyne Cepeda (Sr., DS/L) led the Evergreen defense with 11 digs. Cepeda has recorded 43 digs so far this season, including double-digit totals in three of four matches. On offense versus Carroll, Zofia Formella (So., MB) contributed five kills and Ally Ainoa (Fr., OH/DS) added four kills. Joy Miyazawa (So., S/DS) earned seven assists, while Bright Brubaker (So., OPP) provided six assists.

Lauren Heuiser registered 16 kills for Carroll. McKaila Balcom and Kaylen Hay each achieved six kills. Molly O'Connor accumulated 15 digs. Jansyn Carrizales was credited with 16 assists and Lauren Fox added 12 assists. The Saints produced 10 service aces, led by Heuiser with four and Norah Allen with three.

Evergreen took a 5-3 lead in the first set on a kill by Brubaker. The Geoducks also led 7-5 and 8-7 after Carroll attacking errors. The Saints countered with three consecutive points for a 10-8 advantage. Evergreen scored next with a kill by Mikayla Kelly (Grad., MB), but Carroll went on a 7-0 run for a 17-9 lead after a kill by Heuiser. The Saints took the set 25-12.

The Geoducks started strong in the second set, building a 5-2 lead. The early run included a combo block by Ainoa and Kelly. Carroll tallied the next eight points to grab a 10-5 advantage. The run included three service aces.

Evergreen battled to within 13-11 on a kill by Mikayla Kelly that completed an 8-1 run. The Saints held a 16-12 lead a bit later before gradually extending the lead for a 25-14 win.

Carroll scored the first eight points of the third set on its way to a 12-2 lead. Evergreen was unable to recover, as the Saints completed the match.

The Geoducks will play an exhibition match at the University of Puget Sound on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Match time is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Tacoma, Washington.