SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Montana State University Billings Volleyball team remained perfect to start the season, knocking out Academy of Art in three sets and San Francisco State in five sets on Friday at Don Nasser Pavilion. Kylee Clarke tied a personal best with 59 assists against the Gators and Bayli Monck served six aces against the Urban Knights to help the Yellowjackets stay perfect in the GNAC/PacWest crossover tournament.
 
"I am very proud of the way the girls worked today," said head coach Casey Williams. "It felt really good to play at a high level consistently today. We had good production from multiple people today which helped spread our offense."
 
The team received offensive and defensive contributions from all six starters on Friday but also had help from the bench. Their effort was rewarded with a 6-0 record, a feat MSUB has not achieved since 2001.
 
MONTANA STATE BILLINGS - 3 | ACADEMY OF ART - 0
 
The Yellowjackets limited their mistakes and capitalized on offensive opportunities en route to a win over Academy of Art 3-0 early Friday morning. It was the first match of the GNAC/PacWest crossover tournament for both teams and lasted just 1 hour, 12 minutes. MSUB fired 12 service aces, including six from sophomore Bayli Monck.
 
The Yellowjackets posted a .226 hitting percentage as a team compared to .044 for Academy of Art. Maddi Vigil and Riley Moore led the way with seven kills each and Kylee Clarke came up just shy of 10 assists per game with 29. Defensively, MSUB was strong on the block. Eavan Taylor posted four solo blocks and McConnell and Monck recorded three each.
 
The first set remained close throughout and ties occurred at 10, 15, 20, and 21. The Yellowjackets put together four straight points in the closing moments to win it 25-21. Clarke assisted on 11 kills in the first set for MSUB.
 
In the second set, the Yellowjackets built an early lead, then extended it by using a superior hitting percentage average. Monck and McConnell posted three blocks apiece and Academy of Art more than doubled the Yellowjackets error total through the first two sets. Vigil and Monck had five kills each after the first two frames and MSUB pulled away 25-15.
 
Montana State Billings continued their success in the third set and jumped out to a 10-6 advantage. They continued to limit errors and make smart decisions, closing out a sweep of the Urban Knights 25-14.
 
MONTANA STATE BILLINGS -3 | SAN FRANCISCO STATE - 2

The Yellowjackets looked comfortable after taking a two set lead against San Francisco State Saturday night, but the Gators came back to force a fifth set and kept the match close. Both teams came into the contest with undefeated records in non-conference play.
 
The Gators applied steady offensive pressure to open the first set but the Yellowjackets fought back to take their first lead at 16-15. It remained a one-point affair until MSUB grabbed three straight points to run to score up to 22-19. After a timeout by SFSU, the Gators regrouped but MSUB received a timely block from Monck and Taylor to stem the Gators push. Riley Moore finished set point with a kill near the net post for a 25-23 final.
 
Vigil and Monck continued with their strong attack from the 'Jackets front line in the second set. Again, MSUB earned points in critical moments and snagged the set 26-24. The final kill came off the wrist of Monck set up by Izela Alvarez. Montana State Billings also held .286 hitting percentage after two sets, slightly ahead of SFSU's .250 team percentage.
 
San Francisco State made just two errors and pulled away with the third set 25-16, breaking MSUB's streak of 11 straight set wins which began against Minot State on August 25. Jessica Haynie continued to stifle the 'Jackets chances and had 12 kills and two errors after three sets for the Gators. San Francisco State's hitting percentage also elevated to .393 in set three.
 
The Gators continued their momentum into the fourth set and grabbed an early 9-4 lead. They also made zero errors in the first 24 points of the set and made the Yellowjackets earn their chances. SFSU led by as many as six but a late rally forced both teams above 25 points. Alvarez pushed her serve just long, setting up set point for SFSU and Bailey Johnson and Morris assisted on a block to take the set 28-26.
 
MSUB tied the fifth set for the first time at 9-9, then took the lead on a Monck kill. The Yellowjackets found a way to raise their level and took a 14-10 advantage. On match point, Izela Alvarez sealed the 'Jackets sixth straight win with a service ace to make it 15-10.
 
"We fought hard in the fifth set to regain some momentum after SFSU fought their way back," Williams said. "I'm proud of the team effort today."
 
THE BUZZ: Miranda McConnell earned St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for her combined performances in Friday's tournament. McConnell had 13 kills, four blocks, and two digs for the 'Jackets against San Francisco State and six kills and three blocks against Academy of Art.
 
UP NEXT: Montana State Billings (6-0, 0-0) will continue matches in the GNAC/PacWest crossover tournament on Saturday. First, they face California State Dominguez Hills at 8:30 a.m. PT, followed by University of Hawai'i at Hilo at 3:15 p.m. PT. They begin conference play on September 6 away from home against Western Oregon.