MOORHEAD, Minn. – Montana State Billings cruised to victories over Minot State (3-1) and Western State Colorado (3-0) Saturday at Nemzek Fieldhouse. The pair of wins helped The Yellowjackets post a perfect 4-0 record in the Minnesota State Moorhead Classic over the weekend as they began their season 4-0 for the first time since 2014.
 
"It was a total team effort today," said head coach Casey Williams after the tournament. "We progressively got better as the weekend went on and started to do some really great things."
 
Freshmen Eavan Taylor and Riley Moore were key contributors in the wins for MSUB and the team received strong performances from their veterans as well.
 
"Eavan and Riley really stood out today and helped set the pace of our offense," Williams said.
 

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS VS. MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY 

The 'Jackets spread out their offensive production in all four sets against the Beavers with six players notching over five kills. Riley Moore had her strongest match as a Yellowjacket and posted 14 kills and a .407 hitting percentage. Miranda McConnell was also impressive on the front line for MSUB. She finished with nine kills and three errors for a .261 hitting percentage. 

Maddi Vigil led the team defensively with 15 digs. Bayli Monck and Izela Alvarez were not far behind with 13 and 10 digs respectively.
 
After falling behind by two sets to none in each of their previous two matches, the Yellowjackets were looking for a faster start on Saturday against Minot State. The Beavers came prepared though and took the first set 25-22 thanks to a strong offensive display by Hayley Swain. Swain ended the day with 15 kills and one error but she was particularly challenging to stop in the first frame.
 
The 'Jackets returned to form in the second set. Moore saw extended playing time and made the most of it. At 19-19, MSUB rattled off six straight points to seize the set. Over the six point run, Alvarez made an unlikely dig from the center of the court and McConnell timed out back-to-back kills to close it out.
 
The 'Jackets took set three 25-22 after seizing control coming out of a timeout with the score tied at 12. Leading 24-20, Kylee Clarke made a dig near the net, received a set from Alvarez, and put away the kill and the set for MSUB.
 
Montana State Billings continued to play cohesively in the fourth set. The Yellowjackets took an early 6-2 advantage and never appeared to be in jeopardy of giving up the lead. The set featured many extended points, with a few ending in Clarke finessing the ball into difficult areas for the Beavers. MSUB allowed Minot State just 13 points in the final set.


MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS VS. WESTERN STATE COLORADO UNIVERSITY

The Yellowjackets swept all three sets against their final tournament opponent, Western State Colorado Saturday afternoon in Moorhead. MSUB was able to stave off two set points in the first to win it 27-25. Then MSUB put together extended point runs in sets two and three to run away with a sweep against the Mountaineers.
 
Three players finished with outstanding offensive statistics for MSUB. McConnell had 11 kills and zero errors. Moore finished with 13 kills, 3 errors; and Taylor posted 10 kills, one error. The team combined for 50 kills and just 12 errors, good for a .362 hitting percentage.
 
Six MSUB players recorded at least one service ace and the defense was held up by Alvarez, who nabbed 12 digs in the effort.
 
The Yellowjackets trailed for most of the first set but kept the score within a few points. Western State Colorado had chances leading  24-25 and 23-24 but could not close. McConnell then made a crucial kill to give the Yellowjackets their opportunity. The Mountaineers failed to handle Bayli Monck's serve and the 'Jackets clinched the set.
 
The second set began with ties at nine and 14, but the Yellowjackets pulled away, starting with a pair of service aces by Alexa Smythe. The aces led to a 7-1 run for MSUB and they quickly put away the Mountaineers 25-17 for a 2-0 lead.
 
The first half of the final set featured what was likely MSUB's best excecuted volleyball of the weekend. They rushed to a 10-2 advantage and held the lead. Western State came up well short of a comeback and the match ended 25-16.
 
THE BUZZ


 
 Freshman Riley Moore was tabbed St.   Vincent Healthcare player of the day for her   excellent offensive performance in   Saturday's matches. The Loomis,   California   native put up a total of 27 kills and limited   her errors to six. Moore added four digs and   scored 13.5 points for MSUB.
 
 Maddi Vigil was named most valuable player   at the Minnesota State Moorhead Classic   and both Vigil and Izela Alvarez were named   to the all-tournament   team.
 
 
UP NEXT
 
 Montana State Billings (4-0, 0-0 GNAC) will play in the GNAC/PacWest Crossover Tournament on Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Their opponents include Academy of   Art, San Francisco State, California State Dominguez Hills, and University of Hawaii at Hilo.