Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings Volleyball team has been constantly improving as they adjust to head coach Lisa Axel's new system. After participating in the Honolulu Invitational, the Yellowjackets hit the road again to compete in the Colorado State University-Pueblo Volleyball Classic. Playing a doubleheader on the day, MSUB dropped the first match to CSU-Pueblo 3-1, but came back in the afternoon and defeated Adams State College 3-2 to notch their first victory of the season.
 
Match 1: CSU-Pueblo
 
Box Score
 
The ThunderWolves came out strong in the first set and gained the early 8-5 advantage. Several attack errors and a Monica Grimsrud Kill got MSUB back in the game and had both teams tied at 10-10 midway through the set. CSU-Pueblo and the Jackets stayed close within each other and didn't let the opposition obtain a commanding lead.
 
Late in the set the teams were locked at 25-25, but kills by Taylor Adams and Jody Lutz combined with a service ace by Sydney Orberstein, saw the Jackets take the first set 28-26.
 
Following suite with the first set, both teams played an even match to a 15-15 tie half way through the set. The turning point came when the ThunderWolves went on a 6-2 run to give them the 21-17 advantage and control of the set. The Jackets cut the lead down to come within one point of their opponent but CSU-Pueblo held on to edge out MSUB 25-23, bringing the match score to 1-1.
 
Sets three and four were very similar in tempo and play. The Jackets and CSU-Pueblo both attacked and effectively countered each other and found themselves tied late in both sets. In the third, MSUB took a 23-22 lead but did not close the deal. Two kills and an attack error allowed the ThunderWolves to capture the third set 25-23.
 
In the fourth with both squads tied at 20-20, CSU-Pueblo put together a 5-2 run to effectively win the set and match 3-1.
 
“We had our opportunities to win but could not finish sets when we had the advantage,” stated first year head coach Axel.
 
Several Jackets put together great individual efforts. Kyndal Williams had 45 assist and 10 digs on the night. Erin Compton led the team in digs for the fifth straight match with 24 on the day. Adams, Lutz and Grimsrud all ended the contest with a minimum of 10 digs.
 
Match 2: Adams State College
 
Box Score
 
With a five game skid looming over them, the Yellowjackets came back determined in their afternoon matchup against Adams State College. MSUB put together a true team effort and gave the Grizzlies their first lost on the season with a 3-2 victory.
 
MSUB started strong in the first set and went toe to toe with their talented counterpart. With neither team gaining a clear advantage they found themselves tied 12-12 midway through the set. Orberstein found her rhythm and scored a service ace and forced the Grizzlies into two attack errors during this stretch. Lutz was also key during this period and completed three kill attempts.
 
The back and forth duel continued and the Jackets and Adams State found themselves tied late in the set at 22-22. MSUB put together a gutsy 4-2 run to capture the first set 26-24.
 
In the second and third sets Adam State displayed why they came into the CSU-Pueblo Volleyball Classic unbeaten. Jumping out to early leads, the Grizzlies controlled both sets and defeated the Yellowjackets 25-12 and 25-16, giving them the 2-1 lead in the match.
 
With their backs against the wall the Jackets dug deep, and for the first time this season won two consecutive sets. MSUB came out in full stride in the third and took an early 16-6 advantage. Chelsey Walter was dominate during this stretch and scored four kills. Once the Yellowjackets had a grasp on the match, they would not falter and closed the door on the opposition. Grimsrud and Krista Norris put down quality kills late in the set to secure the match point.
 
Now with the match tied at 2-2, MSUB came into the final set full of confidence and momentum from the fourth. As the set score stud at 3-6, the Jackets went on an offensive surge and pushed the lead to 11-5. While the Grizzlies tried to avoid defeat with a light offensive run, their efforts would fall short, and the Yellowjackets won the fifth set 15-10, giving them their first victory on the season.
 
“After our first match against CSU-Pueblo, we came back and had a great response against Adams State,” said Axel. “We battled hard and won a tough first game but let up in the second and third set. Our girls came out aggressive in set four and never looked back. Williams had a great match and ran a very balanced offense. The team is starting to find their rhythm as they adjust to a new system”
 
In total, Compton finished with 21 digs, and Grimsrud, Norris and Walter combined for 36 kills and seven blocks. Williams had 37 assists in the match.
 
Now 1-5 on the season, the Jackets have another double header on Saturday, Sept. 8. MSUB will face Eastern New Mexico University at 9:00 a.m., and then compete against the University of New Haven at 1:00 p.m.