BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's volleyball team hosted the Montana State University Bobcats in a full four-set exhibition at Alterowitz Gym on Thursday evening.
 
"I was pleased with our effort tonight," MSUB volleyball head coach Casey Bonner said. "I thought our freshmen did a great job of stepping up and raising the bar in their first collegiate match. I think we have some small things on the agenda for our practice plans this week based on what we saw tonight. But I'm really proud of this team, I'm excited for the season and I thought we battled well against a really good Montana State team."
 
The Bobcats, which finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference last season, won all four sets with scores of 25-14, 25-17, 25-9, 25-20.
 
Freshman Caty Havekost was the driving force for the Jacket offense, finishing with six kills in the first three sets. Junior Olivia Schwartz was close behind with five kills of her own. Senior setter Hannah Hashbarger ran the office to the tune of 14 assists through the first three sets, plus sophomore defensive specialist/libero Christine Funk had nine digs in the first three sets.
 
The Bobcats were led by Kira Thomsen who had 14 kills in the first three sets. Lauren Lindseth added 20 digs and two service aces in the first three sets.
 
Thursday night marked the first time the Bobcats have played in Alterowitz Gym since Sept. 22, 1993. That date was also the last time any Division I team has made the trip to the Magic City.
 
MSUB's regular-season opener will be against Minnesota State Moorhead on the first day of the 2022 Yellowjacket Invitational, which is Friday, Aug. 26. In between the team's doubleheader that day, MSUB will hold the Yellowjacket Fanfest – a barbecue and meet-and-greet with MSUB athletics coaches and administrators. The deadline to RSVP for that event is Wednesday, Aug. 24.