PORTLAND, Ore. –Unable to overcome 65 kills by Concordia University in women's volleyball, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets fell 3-1 Saturday afternoon at LCEF Court. The Cavaliers took a 2-0 lead, then closed out the match in the fourth as Jessica Wheeler, Tori Johnson, and Elyssa Rose all made double-digit kills in the match for CU. Callie Wilkins had an impressive performance for the Cavs, leading all players with 19 digs. Wilkins also recorded three service aces and four assists in the effort.
 
"We struggled to close in on gaps that we created," said head coach Casey Williams. "Concordia was scrappy on defense, which made it difficult for our hitters to get in system."
 
It was the fourth straight loss for the Yellowjackets, ending a torrid stretch of ten road matches in a row to start the season. The team finished 6-4 on the trip and will return home Friday September 14 to play Alaska Anchorage at 7 p.m.
 
"We are looking forward to a regroup in practice this week to prepare for the Alaska schools," said Williams.
 
Among the highlight performances for MSUB was outside hitter Maddi Vigil. Vigil posted 13 kills and four errors for a .220 hitting percentage. She also made 12 digs to record her 17^th career double-double (fifth in 2018). Setter Kylee Clarke recorded 39 assists for MSUB in the losing effort. Izela Alvarez made 16 kills to lead the team but Bayli Monck wasnot far behind with 13.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cavaliers hit .357 in the first set and relegated MSUB to play catch up in the score early. Concordia carried its' narrow lead through to a 25-20 score in the first frame. The Yellowjackets maintained a .167 hitting percentage in the first set and never found enough rhythm to string together more than three points in a row. Vigil and MSUB middle blocker Eavan Taylor began the match strong, helping the Yellowjackets to 13 kills in the opening set.
 
Again, Concordia built an early lead in the second set and despite a late 5-0 run by MSUB to get within three points of a tie at 22, the Cavaliers held on for a 25-22 set and took a commanding lead 2-0. Concordia's maintained a .289 hitting percentage in the second set compared to MSUB at .171.
 
Montana State Billings played from ahead for the first time in the early stages of third set. Vigil's kill total climbed into double figures by the midway point of the set. The 'Jackets led by as many as seven but the Cavaliers cut the deficit to three at 22-19, forcing MSUB to call a timeout. A kill by Miranda McConnell gave MSUB set point and the Yellowjackets closed out the fourth frame 25-21 on a final point service ace by Bayli Monck to make it 2-1.
 
Concordia's Callie Wilkins served the Cavaliers to a 5-0 run to begin the fourth set. Wilkins had two kills and a service ace over the five-point stretch. Vigil continued her barrage thereafter, and the Yellowjackets battled back to force a tie at 10. Again Concordia swung the momentum in their favor by winning six of the next seven points, creating a five-point deficit and eventually a 21-13 lead. MSUB failed to climb its way back and lost the fourth and final set 25-14.
 
THE BUZZ: Maddi Vigil was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game. Vigil's final statistics included 13 kills, one assist, 12 digs, and one block…The 'Jackets are now 0-7 all-time against Concordia…Kylee Clarke set a personal season high with eight digs.
 
UP NEXT: Concordia (5-4, 2-0 GNAC) plays Saint Martin's and Seattle Pacific away from home next weekend. Montana State Billings (6-4, 0-2 GNAC) plays Alaska Anchorage in their first home match of the season Friday, September 14 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, September 15, they will play Alaska at home at 2 p.m.