Tessena’s kill capped a nearly 3-hour, back-and-forth match of high-quality tournament volleyball, leaving fans dizzy with every shot, block, dig, time out and challenge.

UNC’s 15-13 win in the fifth set on the swing of Tessena’s right arm sent the Bears to the semifinals after escaping the sixth-seeded Bobcats.

Montana State (13-15) won the first set 25-18, UNC took the next two sets 25-18 and 25-23, and the Bobcats pulled out the fourth set 25-23.

PHOTOS: UNC volleyball beats Montana State in Big Sky Conference tournament

The in-match tension and intensity was so high that while Gibbs focused on each point, 15 minutes later she couldn’t 100% remember Tessena’s immediate reaction to ending the match.

“I think we were all screaming,” Gibbs said. “That’s all there was.”

Third-seeded U

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