Box Score Box Score

Billings, Mont. – The Montana State Billings Volleyball team is improving their level of play while they adjust to first year head coach Lisa Axel's new system. In their second matchup in the Honolulu Invitational, the Yellowjackets faced off against Fresno Pacific University and played four highly competitive sets.
 
Learning from their mistakes from the previous match, the Yellowjackets started strong in the first set and took an early 7-5 lead on three service aces by Taylor Adams, kills by Chelsey Walter and Jody Lutz, and an attack error by the Sunbirds' Emily Carroll. MSUB's next offensive surge came on a 7-2 run where they brought the score to 17-11. Monica Grimsrud put down three kills during this run.
 
After this run, the Yellowjackets allowed Fresno Pacific to gain momentum on several attack errors. MSUB could not regain their rhythm and the Sunbirds took the first set 25-23.
 
Fresno Pacific started fast in the second set, jumping out to a 7-2 advantage. The Jackets capitalized off several attack errors by the Sunbirds to go on a 7-1 run taking the 9-8 lead. Both teams dueled back and forth throughout the remainder of the set to a 24-24 gridlock. The Sunbirds closed out the set 26-24 with kills by Lyndsie Peterson and Jessie Alcorn.
 
Similar to their previous match against Chaminade, MSUB came out aggressive and took the quick advantage in the third set. Krista Norris and Walter both had two kills helping the Jackets take the early 9-6 lead. With the lead in hand, MSUB would not look back and they effectively closed out Fresno Pacific 25-18, bringing the match to 2-1. Taylor Adams and the Yellowjacket hitters came on strong in the set combing for 13 total kills in the set.
 
The Jackets carried this momentum into the next set, gaining the 13-8 lead midway through the fourth set. Fresno Pacific charged back with several kills and service aces to even up the score at 17-17. After a Grimsrud kill, the Sunbirds put down five kills, a service ace and forced two attack errors en route to a 8-2 run to close out the set, winning the match 3-1.
 
“We came out and battled tonight,” stated Axel. “Fresno Pacific is a good team, but we could not capitalize off the opportunities we had. The team improved throughout the match and is getting more comfortable with our new system.”
 
Offensively, Walter finished with 16 kills and Kyndal Williams had 34 assists on the day. Defensively, Erin Compton put together another good performance with 23 digs.
 
MSUB will conclude their play in the Honolulu Invitational with a double header on Saturday, Sept. 1. The Yellowjackets start with Hawaii Pacific University at 11:00 a.m. (Hawaiian time), then compete against Sonoma State University at 4:15 p.m. (Hawaiian time).