The Canisius volleyball team opened play in the Gonzaga Invitational in Spokane, Wash. with a five-set loss to Montana State, falling 26-24, 25-22, 22-25, 18-25, 13-15 to the Bobcats on Friday.

Junior Rachel Kline had her second double-double of the season with 16 kills and a career-high 19 digs while junior Grace Streicher also had a double-double with career highs in assists (45) and digs (15). Sophomore Katlyn Tyler posted a career-high 18 kills. Sophomore Jacklyn Malusa had 12 kills to go along with a career-high six blocks while junior Lauren Siebert also had six blocks as Canisius posted 14 blocks in the match.

“We competed against a good team tonight and had a great opportunity to get our first win of the season,” Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said. “We made too many mistakes at critical times, which is especially costly in close matches. We are still waiting for that emotional maturity to hit the ability. We are close to seeing that happen.”

The outside hitters led Canisius in the opening set, with Kline posting six kills while Tyler had five kills on nine swings. The Griffs scored three straight points, including two kills from Kline, to go up 24-21. Montana State evened the score, but a kill from Malusa and another kill from Kline gave the opening set to Canisius.

Montana State (2-2) led for a majority of the second set and took a 20-18 lead before Canisius closed the set with a 7-2 run. Malusa had two kills and three blocks in the set, including a block to make it 24-21 and a kill to put Canisius up 2-0 in the match.

The Bobcats won the third set, withstanding a late 5-1 run by the Griffs. Montana would force a decisive fifth set after pulling away late in the fourth set.

Canisius (0-4) jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the fifth set, getting a kill and service ace from Kline as well as an early kill from Malusa. The Bobcats would take control of the set with a 7-1 run, going up 8-5 at the changeover. Down 14-10, the Griffs fought off three match points, but Montana State put the match away on its fourth attempt.

Canisius wraps up play at the Gonzaga Invitational with two matches on Saturday. The Golden Griffins face the host Bulldogs at 1 p.m. (Eastern) and Grand Canyon at 7 p.m. (Eastern).

Notes: Canisius and Montana State played for the first time in program history… Kline and Streicher each posted their second double-double of the season and sixth of their careers… Senior Olivia Chrzanowski had 13 digs, her second match this year with 13-plus digs… Canisius played a five-set match for the second time this season… The 15 digs by Streicher were the most by a Canisius setter since Janelle Davis had 15 digs against Rider on Oct. 15, 2011… Kline is the first Canisius player with at least 15 kills and 15 digs in a match since Emily Elek had 20 kills and 15 digs against Siena on Sept. 16, 2012.