CHADRON, Neb. – Shelby Shouten dropped in the final kill of the match past an outstretched
Bayli Monck, helping Chadron State College narrowly defeat Montana State University Billings 3-2 (25-23, 25-16, 20-25, 23-25, 15-13) in volleyball Saturday night at Chicoine Center in the fourth and final game of the Chadron State Tournament.
After falling behind 2-0, the Yellowjackets rallied to tie the score but ultimately fell by two points in the deciding frame. Monck had a strong performance for MSUB with 16 kills and 18 for her second double-double of the season.
Maddi Vigil and
Joelle Mahowald also contributed to the offense with 13 kills each but the effort came up just short.
It was a team display for Chadron State with three players in double-digit kills and five players in double figure digs. Ashton Burditt led all players with 29 digs and Tori Strickbine had 19.
Makayla Baca finished with 22 digs to lead the 'Jacket defense with Vigil and Monck tying for second at 18 digs apiece. MSUB's
Hannah Hashbarger won the battle of setters with 46 assists, though Strickbine was close behind with 40 assists and a double-double.
The 'Jackets were outhit .203 to .170, though total kills remained even at 56 per side. After posting strong serve statistics in the beginning of the tournament, MSUB made nine service errors and seven aces in Saturday night's losing effort.
The Yellowjackets (1-3) have lost three five-set matches on the weekend after falling to South Dakota Mines 3-2 on Friday. MSUB leads the all-time series with the Eagles 6-5 having last played in September, 2014. The Eagles (3-1) play in the Fort Hays Fall Tournament in Kansas on Friday.
THE BUZZ: Joelle Mahowald was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game for MSUB with 13 kills, two solo blocks, and one block assist. Mahowald hit .321 with four attack errors.
UP NEXT: MSU Billings continues its non-conference road trip with four matches next weekend in the GNAC/PACWest Crossover Tournament. The 'Jackets will see Chico State University, University of California San Diego, Concordia University (California) and Academy of Art at RIMAC Arena in San Diego beginning on Thursday, September 12.
