BILLINGS, Mont- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket Volleyball team splits on their first day of competition in the Yellowjacket Invitational. The Yellowjackets fell in the first match of the day, before winning a thrilling 5^th set match over Minot State in the night cap.
 
MSUB VS UMARY: The Jackets dropped their first match of the season to the University of Mary Marauders 3-1 (17-25, 25-20, 24-26, 20-25).
 
The Yellowjackets (0-1) lost the first set of their 2023 season debut 17-25 in favor of the University of Mary (1-0). They bounced back, taking the second set 25-20 with the help of a 5-0 run to end the set. The third set was a true back and forth battle, but the Marauders edged the Jackets with a score of 26-24. MSUB battled to extend the match but fell short in the fourth set, by a score of 20-25.
 
The Marauders outhit the Yellowjackets .152 to .101 even with MSUB out blocking them 11 to 8. Leading the Jackets offense was Aubrey Allison with 12 kills, Olivia Schwartz with 10 kills, Bailey Nichols with 9 kills, and Hailey Carroll tallying 33 assists. The Jackets back row was solid in the first game; Christine Funk leading the way with 23 digs, Allison with 14 digs, followed by Avery Stuff and Hailey Carroll with 10 each.
 
Coach Casey Bonner's thoughts on the first match of the season: "We battled hard throughout the match; as the match went on, we were working through some lineups, and we got more consistent. We are looking forward to getting back on the court this evening and continuing to build on the growth we had in the first match."
 
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Aubrey Allison – 12 Kills
• Christine Funk – 23 Digs
• Hailey Carroll – 33 Assists

 
THE BUZZ: Paiten Langston is the Intermountain Health Player of the Game. Langston had 7 kills with a .231 hitting percentage. She also had 3 solo blocks, 4 block assists, and 3 digs.
 
 
 
MSUB VS MINOT STATE: The Jackets win a 5^th set nailbiter on game two of the opening day of the 2023 season (25-23, 20-25, 25-15, 27-29, 15-13).
 
The Yellowjackets (1-1) took the first set 25-23 against the Minot State Beavers (0-2). In the first, MSUB went on a late 7-0 run to take a 21-20 lead behind Hailey Carroll's strong serve. Minot State won the second set 25-20 on 14 kills, and 3 service aces. The 'Jackets took control in the third set 25-15 behind a dominant performance by freshman Julia Gordon in her first start of her career. In the third set alone, Gordon recorded 9 kills, and two blocks as she showcased her talent. Kennedy Juranek also led an 8-0 serving run to help take the set. MSUB loses a barn burner with extra points in the fourth set, eventually falling 27-29. The Yellowjackets close it out in a back-and-forth battle in the fifth set winning it 15-13, sealing their first win of the 2023 season. Alterowitz Gym was rocking after 10pm as the Jackets saved the best for last to clinch the 5^th set victory.
 
"What a fight from our team," said head coach Casey Bonner. "Julia had an unbelievable night and was dominant in both offense and defense. It was great to see our team rally for the win and we are excited to get back at it tomorrow."
 
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Hailey Carroll - 48 Assists
• Christine Funk - 30 Digs
• Paiten Langston - 9 Kills, 13.5 Points

 
THE BUZZ: Julia Gordon is your Intermountain Health Player of the game. Gordon had a career-day tallying 23 kills, a .512 hitting percentage, 4.5 blocks and 27.5 points.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB is back at it again tomorrow for the Yellowjacket Invitation at 12 PM against Southeastern Oklahoma State and 6 PM against Lubbock Christian University.