BILLINGS, Mont. – After splitting a pair of matches last week, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team is taking a quick pause from their Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule to take on local rival Rocky Mountain College on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
 
In the first installment of the cross town rivalry, The Yellowjackets had to come from behind for the win. They edged out the Battlin' Bears in the Fortin Center on September 23, 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-11). Bayli Monck led the comeback with a double-double of 22 kills and 12 digs. Maddi Vigil fired 12 kills and a season high 26 digs for a double-double of her own. Freshmen Marissa Logozzo was superb defensively with a game high 31 digs.

"I am looking forward to the Rocky match tomorrow, said head coach Casey Williams. "It is always a great match and something that the community of Billings rallies behind. The team is looking good right now moving into the second half of season. We have seen some of our young players step up and I like the progression we have seen so far."

LAST TIME OUT: The Yellowjackets (6-13, 4-6 GNAC) split games against Saint Martin's University and Seattle Pacific University. MSUB swept the Saints 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 26-24) last Thursday, and fell to the Falcons 3-1 (24-26, 25-14, 25-18, 25-16) on Saturday.
 
MSUB put their foot on the gas and never looked back against SMU. The 'Jackets posted one of their most balanced offensive performances of the year, as seven different players record kills. Setter Hannah Hashbarger did a great job moving the ball round and finished with a game high 29 assists.
 
The 'Jackets came out hot against SPU, winning a thrilling first set 26-24. Combined the team held a solid .333 hitting percentage, but was unable to sustain their early success as they would finish with a .123 hitting percentage overall. Conversely, SPU was able to get better as the match wore on, improving their hitting percentage from .178 in the first set to .452 by the fourth and final set.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: As a team, MSUB is currently eighth in the GNAC with a .181 hitting percentage and ninth in kills with 806 total (11.19/set). Monck is 18^th in kills with 189 (2.62/set) and Vigil is 20^th with 188 (2.61/set).
 
The 'Jackets are also ninth in assists with 765 (10.62/set) led by Hashbarger who is seventh in the league with 518 on the year (9.09/set).
 
Defensively, MSUB cracked the top five in the GNAC in blocks this past weekend and now have 135.0 (1.88/set) this season. Eavan Taylor is eighth in the GNAC in blocking average with 59.0 (1.00/set). Joelle Mahowald is 16^th with 60.0 (.85/set). Logozzo is just outside the top ten in digs, coming in at number 11 with 241 (3.71/set) on the season, while Monck is 18^th with 222 (3.08/set).
 
Maholwald is tops on the team in hitting percentage, carrying a .274 which checks in as the eighth highest mark in the GNAC and the only Yellowjacket in the top 20.
 
Scouting Rocky Mountain College
Game Day: Tuesday, October 22 – 7 p.m.
2019 Record: 16-7, 6-0 Frontier, 4-1 home, 3-0 away, 9-9 neutral
2018 Record: 30-6, 12-0 Frontier, 7-0 home, 9-1 away, 14-5 neutral
Head Coach: Yang Yang (1^st season)
 
The Battlin' Bears are currently leading the Frontier Conference at 6-0 and come to Alterowtiz fresh off of a bye week. Last time out, the Bears produced two non-conference wins. They defeated Saint Xavier University (Ill.) 3-0, and beat Cornerstone University (Mich.) 3-1.
 
Daniella Russell heads the Bears attack with 263 kills and a .184 hitting percentage. Morgan Allen has a team best .294 hitting percentage to go with 169 kills, Monique Rodriguez has registered 183 kills, and Miranda Gallagher has 167.
 
Defensively, Rocky boasts one of the best units in all of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division 1. They currently rank second in NAIA Div. 1 in digs per set with 21.27. Overall, the team is led by Ayla Embry with 468 (5.60/set).
 
Live video and live statistics will be available online through the MSUB Stretch Internet portal here. For tickets please call Hollie West at 406-896-5934 or visit msubsports.com/tickets.