MINOT, N.D. – The Montana State University Billings Volleyball team (2-2) started their second day at the Minot State Classic with a 3-0 win over South Dakota School of Mines (0-3). It was more of the same in the afternoon match against Bemidji State University (1-2) as the Yellowjackets add their second win of the season in 3-0 fashion.
 
"We competed really well today," head coach Casey Williams said after sealing the second victory. "We were scrappy on defense and made smart attacking decisions. We are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase next weekend."
 
The 'Jackets played their cleanest match of the tournament in the 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 victory over the Hardrockers. They finished with a .307 hitting percentage for the match and delivered six service aces while committing only nine attack errors.
 
"The team looked really strong this morning," Williams said after the victory. "They played consistently and I am proud of them for finishing each set."
 
The Yellowjackets were tested in the first set as the teams exchanged leads seven times. MSUB was down 20-19 but slammed the door with a 6-0 run in which Maddi Vigil recorded two service aces and a kill. Sophomore Taylor Sherman recorded two kills during the run to close out the set.
 
The second set only featured two lead changes but the 'Jackets were tested when the Hardrockers inched closer late to bring the score to 23-22. After tough losses late in sets Friday, MSUB showed their grit and stayed ahead to finish out the 25-23 win and put them in position to sweep the match. Freshman Hali Ehresmann sealed the 2-0 lead with a kill off of one of Kylee Clarke's 33 assists.
 
Riding the momentum from the end of the second set, the 'Jackets took an early 7-2 lead in the third and never looked back. Bayli Monck stepped up to help extend the lead to 15-5 as the right-side hitter had a team best six kills in the final set. Vigil was consistent throughout the match and tied Monck's 13 kills to lead the 'Jackets.
 
"We saw some great things from Bayli and Madeline on offense." Williams said. "Izela was picking everything up on defense."
 
Izela Alvarez's defense would be crucial in the late stages of the 'Jackets second match against Bemidji, the Beavers could not get a ball down in front of the libero to extend the third set. With the Yellowjackets leading 25-24 in the third, the freshman from Dumas, Texas made three consecutive digs on well hit Beaver attacks setting the stage for Vigil to record the final kill of the day.
 
The 'Jackets controlled the action against the Beavers for the entirety of the 25-20, 25-19, 26-24 match. Bemidji held a three-point lead at the 17-14 mark in the first set but after a five point rally from the 'Jackets, BSU would never lead by more than one in the rest of the match.   
 
MSUB saw more consistency on defense in their last game of the tournament as they totaled five blocks. Ehresmann led the way with four block-assists while Vigil and Monck each had two. Miranda McConnell teamed up with Clarke to record a big block late in the first set.
 
THE BUZZ: Maddi Vigil was named the St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for the 'Jackets after finishing the day with 23 kills, 18 digs and three service aces. Over the weekend Vigil tied for the team-high with 49 kills with a .222 hit percentage and contributed 33 digs on the defensive side.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will travel to Lacey, Wash. Next weekend to compete in the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase. MSUB will face Point Loma Nazarene on Thursday, CSU Dominguez Hills and Notre Dame De Namur University on Friday and finish with a match against Humboldt State on Saturday.