BILLINGS, Mont. – The 2019 season was one of peaks and valleys for the Montana State University Billings Volleyball team. Led by a first team all-conference performer, MSUB would see some individuals etch their name into the record books, provide captivating and thrilling matches, hit a mid-season slump but lay the foundation for a promising 2020 campaign.
 
"This season was a rollercoaster," said head coach Casey Williams. "We saw some really great things out of our young team, and we also saw some things that we need to work on in the off season. Overall I am really proud of the team for improving and getting better with each contact. I am so excited about the future of this group and the potential that they have."
 
Finishing in ninth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a record of 8-22 overall and 5-15 GNAC, the 'Jackets put together some enthralling wins marred by a tough mid-season during the heart of conference play.
 
Notably, MSUB defeated rival Rocky Mountain College twice earing the season sweep over the bears for the first time since 2007.
 
In the first match up played at RMC, the 'Jackets needed to come from behind to secure the win. In a thrilling five set battle, MSUB came out on top 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-11) in one of the most exciting matches of the year. 
 
Bayli Monck fired 22 kills and had 12 digs while Maddi Vigil also had an impressive performance with 14 kills and 26 digs. Marissa Logozzo put up 31 digs, Hannah Hashbarger posted a career high 59 assists to set up the MSUB attackers. Joelle Mahowald hit .313 with 13 kills and three block assists and Eavan Taylor mustered 10 kills and 9 total blocks.
 
In their most complete game of the season, MSUB bested Seattle Pacific University on the road 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19) on November 14. MSUB was led by Mahowald who finished with match high .538 hitting percentage and had a team high 17 kills. Monck added 13 kills and 12 digs for her 13^th double-double of the year.
 
 Skylar Reed posted 14 kills and a .226 hitting percentage and Hashbarger had 48 assists to go with 13 digs for a double-double of her own.

"I think we had some really great highlights from the season," continued Williams. "I think the best and most cohesive match we played as a team this season was at Seattle Pacific.  We were firing on all cylinders. I think another big positive from the season was how much our freshmen and underclassmen stepped up.  We started 3-4 freshmen throughout the season and we saw a lot of growth from them."

As a team, the Yellowjackets hit .252, their best mark since the Victory over Rocky Oct. 22. Playing one of their best games to date, MSUB held SPU to a .186 hitting percentage, had 55 assists to the Falcons 48 and had fewer errors, 21 compared to SPU's 24.
 
 
With no seniors on the team, MSUB will return an outstanding core group, experienced underclassmen and an invigorated group of recruits. Chiefly among the returners will be 2020 seniors Bayli Monck and Maddi Vigil.  The three year starters each had a great junior year, each have etched their names into the MSUB record books and will each be relied on to provide leadership both on and off the court.
 
2019 was Monck's coming out party as she had one of the best individual seasons by a Yellowjacket on her way to being named First team All-Conference.  
 
Improving each season she has been at MSUB, Monck finished the season ranked 16^th in the GNAC, and a team leading 314 kills (2.73/set).  She finished second on the team and 17^th in the GNAC with 359 digs (3.12/set). In comparison, Monck had 253 kills (2.43/set) and 104 digs (1.03/set) in her freshmen campaign.
 
Posting a team leading 15 double-doubles, Monck had a season high 22 kills on September 23^rd against cross town rival Rocky Mountain College, leading her team to a three sets to two victory. Her 22 kills ties her for 12^th all-time in school history for single match kills.
 
For her career, Monck has 795 kills and 667 digs. She is currently 10^th in program history in block assists with 195 and 10^th for block assists in a single season with 83 in 2019.
 
"This was Bayli's best year," commend Williams. "She grew as a leader and as a player and saw some great results individually. She is going to carry a heavy load going into her senior year and will do a great job. I am glad that the conference acknowledged her as a first team all GNAC selection."
 
 
Former all-conference selection Maddi Vigil has complied a solid career through three seasons. Already in the top 10 for a career in kills (10^th with 912) and digs (8^th with 985), she will have a chance to climb even higher next season.
 
This past season, Vigil was second on the team with 304 kills (2.64/set) and third with 299 digs (2.60/set). With 350.5 points on the year, she tied for the team led with 31 service aces and finished the year with a .156 hitting percentage.
 
"It was by far Maddi's most balanced year offensively and defensively. She keep us in a lot of matches defensively and she was always one of our leaders offensively.  Last off season Maddi spent a lot of time working on her off speed balls, her ball control and her passing and I think that showed in the 2019 season.  I am so excited for her senior season."
 
 
Also returning for her senior year will be Joelle Mahowald. The junior transfer proved to be a valuable asset on the Yellowjacket front line finishing with a team high .323 hitting percentage.
 
The most efficient attacker for MSUB, Mahowald's .323 vaulted her to number five overall for single season hitting percentage in the programs history.
 
She finished fourth on the team with 258 kills (2.26/set) and was first with 105.0 blocks (25 solo, 80 assisted).
 
"Joelle finished the season on such a positive note.  She finished with one of the highest hitting percentages in MSUB volleyball history and we believe that she will be just as successful next season.  As soon as Joelle committed to MSUB we knew that she was going to be an impact player and she did not disappoint.  I am excited for her future."
 
 
Sophomore Skylar Reed took the next step forward in her development and will be another experienced upperclassmen for Williams in 2020. She has a big swing and finished third on the team with 264 kills (2.30/set), 73 more then she had in 2018 (191 total kills and 2.21/set).
 
Reed also finished with 94 digs, 33 block assists and was third on the team with 31 service aces.
 
"Skylar had some great matches, commented Williams. "She is continuing to grow her game and she is working on becoming a well-rounded player. I think that Skylar has a big upside and will continue to make waves in the GNAC."
 
MSUB will miss the presence of middle blocker Eavan Taylor who finished the year with 72 kills (1.14/set), 10 solo blocks and 51 block assists.
 
Three freshman contributed in a big way for MSUB in their first season of action. Setter Hannah Hashbarger had a remarkable first year as she finished third in the GNAC with 957 assists (9.57/set) and is well on her way on a record setting career.
 
The first true freshmen setter since 2012, Hashbarger improved as the season went on. She posted a career high 62 assists against Northwest Nazarene University on October 12 which is the 11^th highest single match mark in program history. The experience she gained as a freshmen will be instrumental in her individual and the team's success next season.  
 
 
Marissa Logozzo was thrust into the libero role early in the year and had a solid season leading the back row. Recording double digit digs in 20 matches, Logozzo's career high came against Rocky on September 23^rd as she posted the 10^th highest single match mark in MSUB history with 31 digs.
 
Hannah Hayden saw her minutes increase as the season progressed as she finished the year with 65 kills (1.07/set), a hitting percentage of .102, 13 solo blocks and 33 block assists. Hayden will look to and will be looked at not only to provide depth in the middle in 2020, but also be a contributor as heir apparent come her junior year.
 
"These three freshmen continue to get better and better with each rep.  All three of them have the work ethic to be super successful.  I am glad they got experience their freshmen season and I believe that they will contribute for years to come."
 
Also returning for 2020 will be then sophomore Defensive Specialist and Libero Makayla Baca who finished 2019 with 187 digs (1.99/set).
 
Setter Hailey Carroll will be back and look to provide experience from her setter position as well as continue to be a threat from the service line. She made the most of her limited action finishing with 13 aces.
 
Kaylie Akiona and Amya Rodriguez will also be back for their sophomore years looking to grow form their first year experience and compete for playing time.
 
With a solid core and great depth, the 2020 recruiting class will be sure to bring competition and infuse the team with new energy. Olivia Schwartz, Kennedy Juranek, Zoe Bibb and Shauna Stene are all talented freshmen that will be joining MSUB and will compete for minutes right away.