Box Score CHADRON, Neb. –The University of Sioux Falls Cougars overpowered the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-15) in volleyball Friday night in game two of the Chadron State Tournament and connected for 39 kills in non-conference play at Chicoine Center. Madison Wassink paced the Cougars with 15 kills, nine digs, and a .542 hitting percentage. Allie Maloney pitched in 14 digs for USF and Krista Goerger set for 28 assists.
 
Maddi Vigil recorded nine kills and 14 digs to lead the Yellowjacket effort, MSUB never found its rhythm against a Sioux Falls squad that went 20-10 in 2018 and remained undefeated (2-0) on the weekend. The Yellowjackets (0-2) fell in five set earlier in the day to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
 
"It was a tough match tonight," commented head coach Casey Williams. "Sioux Falls is a great team and they showed why they received votes in the national poll against us. Our serve receiving struggled to get us in system and as a result, we couldn't seem to find our groove."
 
The 'Jackets kept pace in the early stages of the first set close but struggled to block effectively with just three team total blocks in the match. On the back row, Vigil led the way with Makayla Baca and Alexa Smythe chipping in seven and five digs respectively. Smythe was MSUB's primary setter for the second straight match and posted 14 assists.
 
MSU Billings was outhit by the Cougars .308 to .129 and in kills USF led 39 to 24. After a slow offensive start, MSUB rebounded for 11 kills (.212) in the second set, only to regress to five in the final frame. Bayli Monck followed a strong all-around performance against South Dakota Mines with five kills, two service aces, and one block assist against USF. Sophomore middle blocker Eavan Taylor made her first appearance after a strong freshman year and recorded one block assist.
 
Sioux Falls played best in the second set and put up 18 kills and a game high .417 hitting percentage. The Cougars closed out the 'Jackets on their second match point in the third set 25-17.
 
THE BUZZ: Maddi Vigil was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game with nine kills, one error, and 14 digs for MSUB…The last time the Yellowjackets began a season 0-2 was in 2017. They finished the year 9-21…Friday was the first ever meeting between University of Sioux Falls and Montana State Billings in volleyball.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets continue in the Chadron State Tournament with Fort Hays State University Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The team then plays host Chadron State College Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches will be streamed online and have live statistics available through the link HERE.