RAPID CITY - The Black Hills State volleyball team's first-ever trip to the national tournament came in dramatic five-game fashion on Saturday night in Jamestown.

After the Yellow Jackets and Jimmies split their two regular season meetings, with each team winning on their home court, BHSU went into hostile territory and, after winning the first two games, won the battle 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 18-16.

"It was absolutely incredible on Saturday night watching two evenly matched teams," Yellow Jacket (24-6 overall) head coach Jhett Albers said. "Getting those first two games and then that fifth game I will never forget having to fight off two match points. The players stepped up to make big plays for us.

"It is unbelievable how you can work so hard all season long and then it all comes down to one or two plays that decide it all. It is very satisfying and I am extremely grateful for the players I have and the opportunity."

The victory secured a series of firsts for the Yellow Jackets beginning with their first win in Jamestown, their first Dakota Athletic Conference tournament title and their first trip to the national tournament.

The Yellow Jackets will have the opportunity to play their first match at home as they host William Penn (Iowa) on Saturday at the Young Center.

The time of match has yet to be determined.

William Penn (26-14) was both the Midwest Collegiate Conference co-regular season and tournament champions, but it did not fare well against DAC opponents during its season.

It lost to both Mayville State and South Dakota School of Mines which were teams BHSU went 5-0 against during its conference season.

Albers credited a season full of big wins and comebacks for preparing his team - which finished in a tie with the Jimmies for the conference title after the regular season - for the big moments.

"It has been a whole learning process all season," he said. "We have gotten down before but didn't fall back on our heels. We made smart decisions, showed determination and have matured and grown as a team. You can't teach it but they just always believe they can do it."

The Yellow Jackets' fast start kept the Jimmies' fans relatively quiet to begin the match, which was key in Albers' mind.

"They have a tiny gym and the balcony was draped with students," Albers said. "The girls played well and didn't allow any runs those first two games."

Kristin Engle and Maggie O'Neill lead the way for the Yellow Jackets with 27 and 17 kills while setter Mandy Brumfield dished out 62 assists.

Albers said his goal when he took the job 10 years ago was to get to this point, but now bigger challenges lie ahead.

"It was a long, hard challenge to get here, but I have always said the harder part is staying here," he said. "Now we have to keep going forward."

The national tournament is made up of 36 teams, including 12 teams that earned opening-round byes and 24 teams that are playing in Saturday's opening round for the right to reach the NAIA volleyball national championship in Sioux City, Iowa from Dec 2-6.

"We are excited to play at home and the girls are excited to host the nationals for the first time ever," Albers said.