EPHRAIM, Utah-In a fitting, five-game thriller between the top two seeded teams in the Region XVIII Tournament, the top-seeded Snow College women’s volleyball team came from behind to claim a 3-2 victory over No. 12 Utah State Eastern on Saturday. With the win, the Badgers claim the Region XVIII Title, the Rocky Mountain District Title, and an automatic bid the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.

Saturday’s win marks the first-ever region title for the Badgers, and a school-record second straight bid to the NJCAA National Tournament.

Snow College took the first set 25-19, but after losing All-Region performer Korrin Thornock to an injury in the second set, the Badgers struggled to get things going, falling 21-25, in the second and third sets. In the fourth set, Snow was down, 21-16, and battled back to tie the set at 23-23 when Camden Strain and Lydia Montague teamed up to block a USUE attack. The two teams traded points until Snow took a 27-26 lead on a USUE attack error. Snow College completed the come-from-behind victory and forced a fifth game on Bridget Triplett’s kill.

In game five, the Badgers jumped out to an 8-3 lead; however, the Eagles would come back to get within one point at 10-9. But, the Badgers had things rolling at that point and pulled ahead to a 14-11 lead before Triplett and Strain forced a USUE violation to end the match 15-11.

Sophomore Sarah Morley recorded a season-high 25 kills on 69 attempts to hit .232 for the match. She was also credited with a team-best 20 digs, marking her second consecutive double-double performance of the tournament. For her efforts, Morley was named the Region XVIII Tournament MVP.  Fellow sophomore Andreanna McKee tallied 18 kills on 38 attempts to hit a blistering .447. Freshman Lydia Montague racked up 19 kills on 35 swings. Freshman setter Ellee Anderson was credited with a match-high 63 assists in the victory. In addition to Morley, Anderson, McKee and Montague all earned All-Tournament team honors.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of this team,” Reynolds said. “They hung in there today, figured out how to deal with a little bit of adversity, and then forged ahead. I couldn’t be more proud of them for all they have and will continue to accomplish.”

Snow College will find out next week who they will face in Hutchinson, Kan., at the 2019 NJCAA National Championship Tournament.