BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings volleyball team fell in this season's sequel Rimrock Rivalry match against the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears 3-1 (25-22, 24-26, 18-25, 16-25) Tuesday evening at the Fortin Center.
 
After taking set one, MSUB looked in good position to build off their previous 3-0 win against Rocky earlier in the season. But the hosts would respond in dominant fashion, winning the next three sets to defeat the Yellowjackets. "We had a lot of opportunities to be successful, and we weren't able to capitalize," said MSUB head coach Casey Bonner. "I thought Kennedy (Juranek) did a great job both staying consistent on serve receive and picking up some great balls defensively."
 
The Bears were led in points by Bella Bryan with 18, who contributed 15 kills and three blocks and three digs. Makenna Bushman led all players with 16 kills. Ayla Embry had 29 digs, and setter Blythe Sealey had 45 assists. Both Kyra Oakland and Rhiannon Nez had four blocks for a Bears team that made it difficult for the 'Jackets to get the ball over the net all night.
 
For the Yellowjackets, Caty Havekost had 15 kills, and Jahsita Fa'ali'i had 10. Hannah Hayden contributed with five blocks. Kennedy Juranek collected 24 digs on the night, and Alexis King had 31 assists for the visitors.
 
Both teams traded points throughout set one, with neither managing to get much separation from one another early. Down 8-10, the Yellowjackets would battle to score five straight points, flipping the score to 13-10. It would be the definitive turning point in the set for the Yellowjackets, who never trailed for the rest of the way, despite tough play from a Rocky team who was never more than a couple points behind for the rest of the set.
 
The following set would likewise be a close-knit affair. Both teams took late leads, with the Yellowjackets bringing the Bears to the brink, taking a 24-21 lead. But with game point on the line, the Battlin' Bears lived up to their name. Rocky battled back to score the final five points of the set, stealing a win out from under the 'Jackets and tying the match up at one a piece.
 
Rocky would carry that momentum into the beginning of set three, scoring eight points before the Yellowjackets were able to stop the run. It would set the tone in a game where MSUB fought back, but never got closer than four. Rocky would win 25-18, taking a one set advantage over the 'Jackets.
 
Set four started promisingly for the Yellowjackets, as MSUB managed to keep it close early. But another long Rocky run would give the Bears a 14-6 lead, one which they wouldn't give up for the rest of the set, seeing off the Yellowjackets handily with a 25-16 win to close out the final set. The Rocky win would end the season series for the crosstown rivals with a 1-1 split.
 
THE BUZZ: Juranek was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the loss ended MSUB's four match winning streak against Rocky dating back to the 2020-2021 season.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets return to GNAC play in their next game, facing off against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m. in Alterowitz Gym.