LAIE, Hawaii – After dropping the first set on opening day of NCAA competition, the 2016 MSU Billings Yellowjackets battled back to earn a four set victory over BYU –Hawaii 17-25, 25-20, 25-23, and 25-17 at the Cannon Activities Center Thursday.
 
Montana State University Billings (1-0) is in Hawaii for a four-day tournament, beginning with the opening-day contest against the BYU-Hawaii (0-2) Seasiders.
 
"They did well," first year head coach Casey Williams said. "It was a good learning experience to lose the first set, but then push through to win the next three. It was an all-around good effort from everyone."
 
After coming out a little flat and dropping the first set, MSUB found its form through the rest of the match. The Yellowjackets outhit BYU-Hawaii 46-43, maintaining a .203 attack percentage while limiting the Seasiders to .101 at the net.
 
MSUB senior Ashlynn Ward posted 13 hits, nine digs, and four blocks. Stormy Siemion and Lexa de Jesus both factored into the offense with 11 kills each. Senior libero Kylee Cornelio made an impact in her first match as a Yellowjacket with 13 digs while freshman Faith Taylor added 12.
 
Freshman setter Angala Jensen led the match in assists with 38. At the net, MSUB recorded 9.0 blocks as junior Casey Rich totaled six block assists.
 
BYU-Hawaii's Leilanai Adolpho totaled 12 kills. Penina Sao led the match in digs with 15. The Seasiders had completed nine service aces and 3.0 blocks.
 
"We talked a lot about energy after losing that first set," Williams said. "I think nerves had something to do with it which is understandable and mistakes are going to be made. I am proud of the team for their response and forcing BYU-Hawaii to really earn every point they got for the rest of the match."
 

After BYU-Hawaii jumped out to a 6-0 lead, MSUB's Miranda McConnell kicked off the 'Jacket offense with a kill off a feed from Mataia Robinson. Ward pulled the Yellowjackets to within three points, 10-7, but three straight errors from MSUB pushed the Seasiders back-up and BYUH held onto the momentum to claim the first set win.
 
Battling back in the second set, MSUB began its climb with a 4-2 opening lead on a big outside block from Ward and Rich. The Yellowjackets built up an 8-3 margin with a kill from Siemion before the Seasiders were able to gain some traction. Lacey Lange capped off a 4-0 run to pull BYU-Hawaii to within one, 10-9. MSUB responded with its own shift and Rich earned a set point on a swing kill around Jensen. Siemion finished the set on an outside attack to draw the match even.
 
The third set was the most competitive, with neither team pulling ahead by more than three points. On a 22-tie score, MSUB broke through with three straight offensive points ending on a set dump from Jensen. The last set was all MSUB as the 'Jackets pulled ahead early 11-4. BYU-Hawaii closed the gap to within four, 15-11, but that was as close as the set would come. Siemion ended a long rally on a back row attack and de Jesus added a point off a long feed from Jensen. MSUB held strong, finishing the match on a 6-2 run.
 
"Angala did a good job to get the ball to our setters," Williams commented. "All of our hitters opened up toward the end of the match. Tomorrow we will look to start our energy up high and build on our momentum. Chaminade is a good team and we want to come out strong."
 
THE BUZZ: Ward was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Match…Williams earned her first NCAA victory in the win…this is only the fourth time in 27 meetings MSUB has won against BYU-Hawaii and just the second victory in Laie.
 
COMING UP: MSU Billings continues its Hawaii trip with a match tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2, at Chaminade University. First serve is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Hawaii standard time.