BILLINGS, Mont. – The 2014 MSUB volleyball team will open its conference season at home against Western Oregon University Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. With a condensed schedule on tap for MSU Billings, the Yellowjackets will play four conference opponents in the next seven days.
 
After playing four matches at the PacWest/GNAC crossover tournament in California, MSUB is glad to be home and is looking forward to opening conference play in its home gymnasium.
 
"The team is excited to start our conference schedule at home this week," head coach Lisa Axel said. "After playing some very tough competition against the PacWest schools we are ready to see how we match up against our own conference. "
 
The Yellowjackets finished the tournament with a 1-3 record and are now 5-3 on the season. The three tournament losses were tight competitive battles, and all three were lost in four sets to: host Dominican University, Fresno Pacific University, and Academy of Art. The 'Jackets won its match against Chaminade University; the win was the first for the program since 2009.
 
With a winning record and some good experience at the tournament in California, MSU Billings is ready to open GNAC play against Western Oregon.
 
"We had moments that we played very well in California and we are working on consistently playing at a high level," Coach Axel commented on the team's play. "Our conference schedule starts out very fast this year with six matches being played in the next two weeks.  We are very fortunate to be home for four of those matches."
 
The Wolves are 2-6 in the early season. Western Oregon University was also present at the PacWest/GNAC tournament last week. WOU played the same four teams as MSUB and finished with the same 1-3 record, although the Wolves lost its first three matches before winning the last match against Dominican University.
 
WOU is being led on the attack by senior Cherene O'Hara. The middle hitter is leading the team in kills and is second in total blocks. O'Hara listed her kills in double-digits in all but one match last week.
 
Samantha Moore is No. 1 on the team in blocks and second in the GNAC with an average 1.38 blocks/set. The senior outside hitter had 15 blocks at the tournament in California.
 
Alisha Bettinson is leading the Wolves and the conference in service aces. The 5'11 outside hitter has 15 so far in the season.
 
MSU Billings has a 4-14 record against WOU, but a 3-4 record at home. The Yellowjackets have lost the last five matches between the two teams, including a five-set loss in Billings last season and a four-set loss in Monmouth.
 
On Thursday, MSU Billings will face Saint Martin's University at 7 p.m.
 
The Saints carry a 2-8 record and are coming off a four-match tournament in Colorado. SMU finished the tournament 1-3 with a win over Lindenwood University and losses to Pittsburg State University, University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Adams State University.
 
The Saints' Kristyn Ross is hitting .140 and has 104 kills. The senior outside hitter also leads the team in service aces with 13.
 
Montana State University Billings holds a 12-4 overall record against the Saints. Last season the Yellowjackets split its matches, losing the first match in three sets at home, but coming back later in the season with a win on the road in four sets.
 
Montana State University Billings MH/OH Chelsey Walter has a .355 attack percentage and 101 kills on the season. The senior is currently ranked No. 2 in the conference in hitting percentage and No. 7 in kills/set with 3.37. At the PacWest/GNAC tournament, Walter was named to the all-tournament team. This is the second consecutive honor for  Walter; she was also a member of the Jackets' Volleyball Classic all-tournament team the opening week of play.
 
As a team, the Yellowjackets are No. 2 in the conference in assists/set with 12.07. Junior setter Kyndal Williams is ranked No. 3 in the GNAC with 10.37 assists/set. Williams is also ranked in the top-10 in service aces.
 
Freshman Haley Wells continues to make an impact in the libero position for MSUB. Wells, last week's GNAC Defensive Player of the Week, is leading the 'Jackets and is No. 5 in the conference in digs/set with 4.23.
 
MSU Billings will face Western Oregon on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. and will play Saint Martin's on Thursday, Sept. 18, also at 7 p.m.
 
Tickets are $5 for the general public, $3 for seniors, 7-12 students and MSUB faculty/staff, and free for MSU Billings students, and sixth grade and under.
 
Live video and live stats will be available for both matches at msubsports.com.