BILLINGS, Mont. -- After a 4-0 start to begin the season, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team will look to stay unbeaten this weekend as they travel to Phoenix, Ariz., for the Grand Canyon Invitational, hosted by Grand Canyon University.

 

The Yellowjackets are slated to play five games in three days, first playing the host Antelopes on Thursday at 6 p.m. MSUB will then have a pair of matches on Friday against Notre Dame de Namur (11 a.m.) and Hawaii Pacific (5 p.m.) before finishing the tournament on Saturday with contests against Colorado Christian (2 p.m.) and Western New Mexico (7 p.m.).

 

Last week the Yellowjackets were co-champions of the Oredigger Volleyball Classic hosted by Colorado School of Mines. MSUB defeated RMAC powers Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines on the first day before scoring sweeps over Northwood (Mich.) and King (Tenn.) on Saturday.

 

Senior setter Brooke Tolman earned co-MVP honors at last week's tournament after coming up with 153 assists (10.20 avg.) and 18 digs. The embattled Tolman did most of her work with staples in her head after crashing into the referee stand and cutting a gash in her forehead.

 

MSUB also had breakthrough performances from freshmen Monica Grimsrud and Krista Norris. Grimsrud finished the tournament with 52 kills (3.47 avg.) and a .311 hitting percentage. She also scored 15 digs and totaled nine blocks. Norris was just as effective with 38 kills (2.53 avg.), three blocks and 23 digs.

 

As a team the Yellowjackets hit .196 during the tournament and earned 28 blocks. Opponents hit .152 and had 23 blocks against the Jackets, but had a 1.1 serve reception errors per set average.

 

GCU enters the week at 1-2 overall on the season. The Lopes are out hitting opponents .176 to .128 on the year. GCU is leading their opponents in most statistical categories except for digs as opponents are recording nearly two more digs per set.

 

Notre Dame de Namur is winless on the season thus far, going 0-5 to open the season. The Argos are averaging 11.3 kills per set and 15.6 digs per set. The Argos have struggled with ball handling errors this season, committing 10 as they also have 25 blocking errors.

 

Hawaii Pacific comes to Phoenix with a 2-4 record, including a 2-2 record against GNAC opponents. The Sea Warriors own victories over Alaska Fairbanks and Northwest Nazarene, and recorded losses to Alaska Anchorage and No.13 Seattle Pacific.

 

The Cougars of Colorado Christian are 1-3 entering play this week. CCU opponents have been averaging nearly 3.0 more kills per set and are 100 points better in hitting percentage.

 

The last opponent of the weekend, Western New Mexico, enters play at 2-2 on the year. Western New Mexico is averaging 11.0 kills per set and is hitting .186, while opponents are hitting .224 against the Mustangs.

 

This week's tournament will finish out the non-conference schedule for the Yellowjackets as they open conference play on the road next week against Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington.