BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team improved to 7-10 on the year, winning three straight sets to claim victory 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20) over the Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears (12-11).
After a slow start in the opening set, the Yellowjackets erupted with three impressive sets. By the end of the night the 'Jackets outperformed the Battlin' Bears in kills 60-49, total assists 57-48, and total digs 86-76. MSUB capitalized on the serve, forcing nine reception errors for nine service aces while giving up just three to RMC.
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "I am very proud of our team tonight! Everyone stepped up and played well together throughout the whole game. Rocky is always a tough matchup, and nothing ever comes easy in these Rimrock Rivalry games so, I'm proud of our group for pulling out the win. We had some players really step up tonight so that was very exciting to see. Overall, I'm proud of how this team flipped the script after the first set and winning the next three. We look forward to carrying this momentum back into GNAC play this Thursday."
Bailey Nichols was the heavy hitter for the Yellowjackets, tallying 16 kills with three service aces, accounting for 19.5 points alone. Close behind was
Julia Gordon who posted 14 kills while swinging .367 and
Jordin Taulua with 13 kills and two blocks. The swiss army knife,
Jahsita Fa'ali'i posted yet another double-double with 12 kills, 14 digs, one ace, and one block.
After switching to a 5-1 offensive system, freshman setter capitalized, posting a double-double with a career high 43 assists, 14 digs, and two service aces. On the defensive end,
Christine Funk had her best performance of the season, tallying 31 total digs which is good for 7.75 digs per set. Junior transfer
Stella Scott was a force at the net, swatting a career high four blocks which led the Yellowjackets on the night.
After dropping the opening set of the night, the 'Jackets quickly responded in the second frame going on a 6-2 run to take an early 11-7 lead. The Yellowjackets held their lead the whole set and capped it off with another 3-0 run and Nichols closing the door with a match point service ace. Much like the second set, MSUB got out ahead to an early 9-2 lead backed by two more service aces from Nichols and one from Scott. The Battlin' Bears brought it back within three but another 6-1 run from the Yellowjackets was all they needed to coast to a third set win. The final set of the night was a dominant performance from MSUB, getting in front 22-14 and ultimately taking the match 3-1.
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Bailey Nichols (16);
Julia Gordon (14)
ASSISTS: Addie Allen (43);
Emma Fa'alogo (6)
DIGS: Christine Funk (31); Two Players Tied (14)
BLOCKS: Stella Scott (4);
Jordin Taulua (2)
THE BUZZ: Bailey Nichols was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 16 kills while hitting .256, nine digs, three service aces, and one block.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team has four straight home conference games starting this Thursday at 7 PM (MT) against the Saint Martin's Saints.
