Box Score Box Score
 
Billings, Mont. - Montana State Billings Volleyball team started their regular season with a road trip to Hawaii to compete in the Honolulu Invitational. The Yellowjackets faced Chaminade University in their first match, and while playing a highly competitive game the team fell short 3-1.
 
Chaminade started fast in the first set scoring six straight points before first year head coach Lisa Axel, called a time out to gather the Yellowjackets to re-group. After three more points by the Silverswords to bring the score to 9-0, the Jackets got their first point on a kill by Taylor Adams off of an assist by Kyndal Williams. Monica Grimsrud followed up with another point to bring the score to 9-2.
 
Following two more points by the Silverswords, MSUB started to battle back in the set going on a 8-2 run to come within three points of the opposition bringing the score to 14-11. Erin Compton and Adrienne Kelso both scored three points each during this offensive surge.
 
The set balanced out, but Chaminade held on to their fast start and slightly edged out the Yellowjackets 25-23 to win the first set.
 
Going into the second set, Chaminade rode their momentum to a 3-0 start. MSUB fired back quicker than in the previous set, matching the opposition with three points of their own bringing the score to 4-3 early in the second. The Yellowjackets and Silverswords went back and forth with Chaminade holding the slight advantage throughout the match. Krista Norris scored the final point in the match for the Jackets with a kill to bring the score to 22-20. After a service error by Grimsrud, the Silverswords scored two more consecutive points to close out the set, giving them the 2-0 set lead.
 
“We came out slow tonight and we weren't playing our style of volleyball,” stated Axel. “We battled back in each of the games but we just could not find our rhythm.”
 
The third set had better results for the Yellowjackets. MSUB did not let Chaminade jump out to a large lead and took a 4-3 advantage early in the set. After the set was tied 16-16, the Jackets went on a 9-1 run to close out the set and bring the match to 2-1. Jody Lutz had five kills in the set.
 
In the fourth set, MSUB brought their momentum from the previous set and took an early 4-3 lead. After the set was locked at 5-5, Chaminade took the lead and did not look back. The Silverswords closed out the set on a 4-1 run to capture the victory 3-1.
 
Adams, Compton, Grimsrud and Morgan Moss had solid overall performances on the night. Adams and Grimsrud combined for 21 kills and four blocks on the night. While Compton and Moss combined for 35 digs.
 
“We are looking to come out and start strong in our next contest,” stated Axel.
 
The Yellowjackets will play Fresno Pacific University Friday, Aug. 31 at 5:00 PM (Hawaiian time).