MSUB SPORTS – The top tier talent from the 2010s runs up and down the Yellowjacket volleyball all-decade list, in a span of years that featured some of the best players in program history.
 
Five of the seven players in the starting lineup were first-team all-Great Northwest Athletic Conference selections during their careers, and 11 of the 14 players selected completed four-year careers with the 'Jackets.
 
"It has been a great decade for Yellowjacket volleyball," said MSUB head coach Casey Williams, who enters her fifth season in charge of the program in 2020. "We have been lucky enough to have had some of the best athletes in MSUB history on this all-decade team, and I am excited for them to get recognized. Thankfully, I got to coach a number of these athletes. All of the members of this all-decade team have helped shape and mold the culture of this program, and they have set the bar super high for all future MSUB volleyball players."
 

Day	Release
Monday, September 28, 2020	The Middles
Tuesday, September 29, 2020	The Hitters
Wednesday, September 30, 2020	The Liberos
Thursday, October 1, 2020	The Setters
Friday, October 2, 2020	Full Team

 

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The volleyball all-decade team features a starting lineup of seven players including the libero. There are five players on the bench, and a pair of honorable mention selections. Overall there are five outside hitters, three middle blockers/hitters, three defensive specialists/liberos, two setters, and one right side for a total of 14 players.

Position	Name	Playing Years
STARTING LINEUP
Defensive Specialist/Libero	Erin Compton	2011-12
Outside Hitter	Ashlynn Ward	2013-16
Outside Hitter	Monica Grimsrud	2011-14
Middle Blocker	Jody Lutz	2008-12
Middle Blocker	Chelsey Walter	2011-14
Right Side	Bayli Monck	2017-20
Setter	Kyndal Williams	2012-15
BENCH
Defensive Specialist/Libero	Izela Alvarez	2017-18
Outside Hitter	Stormy Siemion	2013-16
Middle Blocker	Miranda McConnell	2015-18
Setter	Brooke Tolman	2011-12
Outside Hitter	Maddi Vigil	2017-20
HONORABLE MENTION
Outside Hitter	Jennifer Boe	2007-10
Defensive Specialist	Taylor Sherman	2015-18

 

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Kyndal Williams quarterbacks the all-decade unit, starting at the setter position after racking up the second-most assists in school history with 4,019 throughout her four-year career as a starter. Constantly cited by teammates as an invaluable leader throughout her career, Williams is the no doubt choice for the starting setter role.
 
"My fondest memories of MSUB are certainly the times I spent on the volleyball team. Traveling, playing, practicing, and spending time with the other girls on the team is certainly what I will remember the most. We kept showing up day after day, practice after practice, despite not seeing as much success as we worked for. No matter what happened, we still showed up and worked our butts off to try and get better, and try to have some fun in the process." – Kyndal Williams.
 
The all-decade middles feature two players who were equally effective on the attack and on the block in Chelsey Walter and Jody Lutz. Walter was a four-year starter who ended up as a first-team all-conference selection during her senior year, and she ranks in the top-10 in school history in both blocks and hitting percentage. Lutz is also in the top-10 in school history in both of those categories, and she stood out as the preeminent middle during the early years of the decade.
 
"That I was able to play collegiately at all! The second I fell in love with volleyball, I knew I wanted to take it as far as I possibly could. Playing for MSUB allowed me to do that." – Chelsey Walter on what she is most proud of during her career.
 
A pair of first-team all-GNAC selections make up the starting outside hitters, with Player of the Decade Monica Grimsrud joined by Ashlynn Ward. Grimsrud is the only player on the all-decade team to earn all-conference honors in each of her four seasons, and she finished her career No. 3 in school history in kills. Ward was twice an all-league selection, and her 1,156 career kills rank her seventh in school history.
 
"Reaching stat goals, and simply finishing. Being a student-athlete is no walk in the park." – Ashlynn Ward on what she is most proud of during her athletic career.
 
 
Current Yellowjacket senior Bayli Monck earned a starting spot as the right side hitter, after three stellar seasons during the decade. Monck already has 795 career kills and is in the top-10 in block assists, coming off a first-team all-GNAC season with what figures to be her best year yet ahead of her.
 
Erin Compton earned the nod as the starting libero for the all-decade unit, after transferring to MSUB and turning a pair of solid seasons in the back row. She was the lone libero of the decade to earn first-team all-conference recognition, and wound up 11th in school history with 958 digs in her two-year career.
 

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A pair of worthy outside hitters earned spots on the second rotation of players, in 2016 graduate Stormy Siemion and current standout Maddi Vigil. Siemion started for four years, collecting 800 kills and the 12th-most digs in school history with 952. Vigil has already been selected honorable mention all-GNAC once, and has her senior year in front of her while already ranking 10th in kills with 912 and eighth in digs with 985.
 
"That I finished. There were some hardships that we all went through but I'm proud to say I stuck it out and made it my full four years. I saw a lot of girls come and go, and I am so happy I was able to stay strong and push myself." – Stormy Siemion on what she is most proud of during her athletic career.
 
Miranda McConnell steadily progressed throughout a four-year career at the middle of the net, where she matured into a key blocker and attacker.
 
Two more key technical players occupy the final two spots on the bench in setter Brooke Tolman and libero Izela Alvarez. Tolman ranks sixth in school history with 1,772 assists, despite playing just two seasons to finish her college career. Alvarez broke the school record for digs in a season as a freshman with 622, and her two-year total of 1,162 ranks her sixth in school history in that category.
 
Jennifer Boe played primarily during the 2000s decade, but earned honorable mention recognition as she completed her career in 2010 and finished No. 6 in school history with 1,177 career kills. Taylor Sherman also earned honorable mention on the list, persevering through a career-altering injury that cost her an entire season and finishing strong as one of the team's top defensive specialists during her junior and senior years.
 
"What stood out most about the team I was on at MSUB was the perseverance of Taylor Sherman and myself. We were the only two from our freshman class who stayed all four years, and boy did we have a wild ride together. We were faced with many adversities along the way, including Sherm tearing her ACL during our freshman spring season and being the only two returners our junior year. Instead of giving up due to the major responsibilities and uncertainty we were faced with, we chose to stick together and ride it out until the end. I am so incredibly glad we did." – Miranda McConnell.
 

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September 27, 2014 – MSUB 3 – 2 No. 11 Western Washington (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
For the first time in program history, the Yellowjackets earned a victory over perennial powerhouse Western Washington University. Undeterred by a 25-16 loss in Set 1, the Yellowjackets rallied to claim the second and third sets before finishing strong with a 15-13 win in the decisive frame.
 
Ward had a match-high 19 kills while Grimsrud added 16 and Walter had 14 including the final point of the night. Williams dished out 55 assists, as the quartet of all-decade selections paced MSUB to its biggest win of the 2010s.
 
"Having the match-winning point against Western Washington on our home court my senior year." – Chelsey Walter on her greatest individual moments athletically.
 
"When our team beat WWU in five sets at home. So amazing and fun. Never missing a match in my entire four-year career. Putting my name in the GNAC and MSUB record books is pretty neat too." – Kyndal Williams on her greatest individual moments athletically.


 

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September 23, 2010 – MSUB 3 – 2 Saint Martin's (at Lacey, WA) – Box Score | Recap
-Boe had a double-double with 13 kills and 20 digs, and Tolman totaled 50 assists to help MSUB to its first win of the year.
 
September 24, 2011 – MSUB 3 – 2 Western Oregon (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-Grimsrud hit .400 and completed a double-double, helping lead MSUB to its second straight 5-set home victory.
 
October 25, 2012 – MSUB 3 – 2 No. 22 Central Washington (at Ellensburg, WA) – Box Score | Recap
-MSUB picked up its first win over a ranked opponent during the decade, beating the Wildcats on the road behind a 58-assist performance from then-freshman Williams.
 
October 29, 2013 – MSUB 3 – 1 Rocky Mountain College (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-Freshman Siemion posted her third straight double-double with 22 kills and 17 digs, helping the 'Jackets avenge an early season loss to their cross-town rivals.


 
November 8, 2013 – MSUB 3 – 2 Central Washington (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-Grimsrud smashed down 30 kills and MSUB topped Central in extra points in the decisive fifth set.


 
September 6, 2014 – MSUB 3 – 0 Black Hills State (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-The 'Jackets swept Black Hills State to start the year 4-0 and Williams was named tournament MVP.


 
October 22, 2015 – MSUB 3 – 2 Alaska (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-Siemion had a double-double and Williams added 49 assists to help MSUB to a comeback five-set win.


 
October 25, 2016 – MSUB 3 – 1 Rocky Mountain College (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-After dropping the first set, MSUB won three straight as Siemion, Ward, and McConnell each had 14 kills in the win over the Bears on Pink Night.
 


September 15, 2017 – MSUB 3 – 2 Alaska (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-MSUB earned its first GNAC win with a back-and-forth, 5-set triumph behind 19 kills from Monck and 18 from Vigil.
 


November 17, 2017 – MSUB 3 – 1 Alaska Anchorage (at Anchorage, AK) – Box Score | Recap
-Alvarez broke the single-season digs record and MSUB beat UAA for the first time in the 2010s decade.
 
"Upsetting UAA in Anchorage was such a big deal for MSUB volleyball. At the time, our team was made up primarily of freshmen, and to beat the reigning national runners up was a great confidence boost for our young team." – Casey Williams.
 
August 31, 2018 – MSUB 3 – 2 San Francisco State (at San Francisco) – Box Score | Recap
-MSUB won its sixth straight match to start the season, behind a 20-kill, 12-dig performance from Vigil.
 
October 6, 2018 – MSUB 3 – 2 Central Washington (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-MSUB overcame a bad 25-12 first-set loss to beat CWU in five sets, with Vigil's 18-kill, 18-dig double-double leading the way.
 
"That was my greatest individual moment so far, and it was great to upset a team that was ranked No. 2 in our conference and had only lost two games all year." – Maddi Vigil.
 


October 20, 2018 – MSUB 3 – 2 Seattle Pacific (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-McConnell notched a career-high 10 blocks to help MSUB even the season series against the Falcons.
 


November 3, 2018 – MSUB 3 – 1 Northwest Nazarene (at Nampa, ID) – Box Score | Recap
-MSUB completed the season sweep of NNU, thanks to a double-double from Monck and five blocks from McConnell.
 
"My greatest individual moment athletically was contributing to a big team win at Northwest Nazarene in one of the last games of my senior year. NNU had been a powerhouse in the conference, so it was such an amazing way to begin the end of my volleyball career." – Miranda McConnell.
 
September 23, 2019 – MSUB 3 – 2 Rocky Mountain College (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-Monck had a 22-kill, 12-dig double-double to spark the 'Jackets to a five-set win over their cross-town rivals.
 
October 12, 2019 – MSUB 3 – 2 Northwest Nazarene (at Nampa, ID) – Box Score | Recap
-Monck powered MSUB to a five-set win with 19 kills and 26 digs, and Hannah Hashbarger had 62 assists.
 
October 22, 2019 – MSUB 3 – 1 Rocky Mountain College (at Billings, MT) – Box Score | Recap
-MSUB completed the season sweep of Rocky for the first time since 2007, with four different players reaching double figures in kills.
 
"It was huge for us to beat Rocky last year both at home and on the road. There is such a rivalry between us, and it felt great to take care of business and come out with two wins last year." – Casey Williams.


 

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As one of the smaller rosters among the Yellowjacket teams, the all-decade volleyball selections share the sentiment that each of the teams they played on had a close-knit, family feel throughout the roster. While the family feel was most prominent within the team itself, many of the former players reflected on the strong friendships they developed across the MSUB campus as a whole.
 
"My fondest memories made at MSUB had everything to do with the people I met while I was there. I made friends with people from all across the country, some of which I call my best friends. My memories with these amazing people include traveling all over for volleyball games and tournaments, and living with them in the dorms during my first two years at MSUB. My favorite places to travel were Washington and Oregon. I loved walking around the cities, sight-seeing, and eating all the delicious foods with my teammates and friends." – Miranda McConnell.
 
"Honestly all of the different players and different personalities, and how we can all get along so well and call each other a family." – Maddi Vigil on what has stood out about the team she is on.
 
"I'm very thankful for my time at MSUB and I look back fondly at all of the memories created and friendships solidified throughout the four years. I miss college volleyball like crazy, but I'm really thankful for the opportunity I had to play collegiately." – Kyndal Williams.
 
"During my time, whether we'd win or lose, I always felt and knew that my 'sisters' were there by my side. I always had someone to lean on." – Ashlynn Ward.
 
"One huge one is living on the fifth floor of Petro Hall my freshman year. It is an all-girl floor and I loved it. I met most of my best friends that year and still keep in contact with the majority of them. Also, my upper-level classes. I had all of my classes with the same people. We all got super close and helped each other out in the classroom and became great friends. On the volleyball team we got to travel so much. Going to California, Alaska, Canada, and Hawaii were some of my favorites. Also getting to do that with all my best friends." – Stormy Siemion on her fondest memories at MSUB.
 
"Definitely the solid group of people I have met in my time being here. From volleyball to the classroom MSUB has blessed me with the best people." – Bayli Monck on what her fondest memories at MSUB have been.
   

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Whether remaining local or venturing out across the globe, MSUB's volleyball alumni ended their collegiate careers well-prepared to take their next steps in life. Two have even remained highly involved in the local volleyball community, with Grimsrud being the head coach at Billings West High School and Siemion in her first year at Skyview High School. The two played together at MSUB from 2013-14.
 
"I have found my passion for coaching and pull from my experiences at MSUB to help in my coaching." – Monica Grimsrud (head volleyball coach at Billings West High School).
 
"It is a huge part of how I live my life now. I met the most incredible people in my time at MSUB from all different backgrounds. It helped me learn how to accept people and how to get to know them. Coming from a small Montana school, I didn't see a lot of adversity. Coming to MSUB gave me that opportunity and that experience helps me to get to know my students on a whole different level. Also I learned so much about the game of volleyball in my time at MSUB. The lessons that I learned – good and bad – have helped me form my coaching philosophy and what I want for my program now at Skyview. MSUB has given me some amazing connections which I'm so grateful for." – Stormy Siemion (head volleyball coach at Skyview High School).
 
"MSUB helped cement myself as a hard worker. It taught me how to balance life and work and all the other things that happen. It gave me a solid foundation for my education and the desire to pursue and finish my master's degree." – Kyndal Williams (service coordinator at San Diego Regional Center in California).
 
"Playing volleyball was great, having my education taken care of was awesome, and having resources for my mental health was incredible. But all of the skills and qualities I have learned and gained will go a long way. The education of human services that I have learned has opened my eyes in many ways. I am now serving others across the state of Montana. I have good and bad days with my job, but the most rewarding moments are those genuine people who thank me for helping them." – Ashlynn Ward (Department of Health & Human Services office for the State of Montana in Helena).
 
"MSUB has shaped my life because it has allowed me to grow up as an individual. Being eight hours away from home I learned how to become an adult. Having the support system of my team and coaches has allowed me to become the person I am today." – Maddi Vigil (current senior majoring in health administration).
 
"Volleyball has given me a confidence that I did not have growing up. I was lost for a little while after finishing my collegiate career, and it was strange not having that 'athlete' title anymore. But all the rough practices, bad losses, and unforgettable wins gave me an edge. I think it does for most athletes. That edge helped me build a new identity, and push me into my next adventure. My experience taught me to never stop pushing and never let the little losses get to me." – Chelsey Walter (criminal analyst supporting Homeland Security Investigations in Austin, Texas).
 
"My MSUB experience has shaped my life in every aspect. In the student I am, the athlete I am, the friend that I am, and it has also made me realize what I really want to do in life. The people here have truly helped me to get where I am." – Bayli Monck (current senior majoring in health and human performance).
 
"My MSUB experience has shaped my life into something I never imagined. Before coming to MSUB, I had never even heard of Billings, nor did I plan on living here for more than five years. I moved away from everyone and everything I knew, and was forced to get uncomfortable. By doing this, I learned to live on my own independently, to make new friends, and to present myself with new opportunities. I never thought I would end up staying in Montana after I finished volleyball and graduated college, but here I am! I am now working at a job that I really enjoy, and I'm hoping to be accepted into the Montana State University nursing program. I am forever grateful for the people and opportunities MSUB has brought into my life." – Miranda McConnell (certified pharmacy technician at Omnicare Pharmacy in Billings).
 
"Being a student-athlete at MSUB shaped me as a leader and has helped me develop other skills like teamwork and adaptability. My experience at MSUB launched my initial career in college athletics as well. After graduation, I attended the NCAA Career in Sports forum, worked at an NCAA D2 conference office, the University of Oklahoma athletic department, and the University of North Carolina athletic department before returning home to Canada." – Jody Lutz (working for the Royal Bank of Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia).
   

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The coronavirus pandemic has put a pause on the volleyball program, with the 2020 season being postponed and a degree of uncertainty continuing to linger in terms of when the 'Jackets may get to compete again. When the time comes to return to the court, MSUB will be well primed with a swath of returning veterans – including all-decade selections Vigil and Monck.
 
"MSUB volleyball has such a bright future. The foundation that these players have built has paved the way for success for our teams to come. I think that big things are ahead and I am looking forward to being a part of the 2020 volleyball decade." – Casey Williams.
 
"I'm proud of the fact that I have stayed part of this program for all four years. It has really helped me grow as a person, and I'm proud of the legacy that the other two seniors and I are going to make once we graduate." – Bayli Monck.
 
"I'm thankful for the warm community of MSUB." – Ashlynn Ward.
 
"I love MSUB, and I will always be a Yellowjacket at heart. The school has given me the life I always wanted. I have now found my dream job surrounded by the people I love. Go Yellowjackets and Stingers Up!" – Stormy Siemion.
 
"To all future MSUB athletes, take full advantage of your time here. You will miss it so much when it is all over." – Chelsey Walter.
 
"MSUB rocks, go 'Jackets!" – Maddi Vigil.
 

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About the All-Decade Project
The top student-athletes from each of Montana State University Billings' current varsity athletic teams from 2010-2019 have been selected, and 14 all-decade teams will be revealed throughout the course of the fall of 2020. Each sport's all-decade team is comprised of the top-performing student-athletes, with weight given to individual athletic achievement and accolades, team achievement, academic achievement, as well as community service. For more information on MSUB's all-decade project, and to view each sport's all-decade teams, view the all-decade project webpage online here.