SPEARFISH, S.D.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (4-1) came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (3-2) with a final score of 3-1 (20-25, 28-26, 25-10, 25-18).
 
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "What a win! We had a total group effort tonight. I'm super proud of how we battle back after that first set. Jahsita and Jordin were phenomenal tonight and were both terminal in both system, and out of system. We are excited to build off this and get back after it tomorrow."
 
Despite dropping the first set, the 'Jackets dominated across the board, outhitting BHS .242-.089, leading in total assists 53-43, leading in total digs 79-78, and leading in block assists 14-8. Jahsita Fa'ali'i led the charge, posting another double-double (20 kills, 15 digs), and right by her side was Jordin Taulua who had 18 kills in the match. This was a result of the setting duo Addie Allen and Emma Fa'alogo, who combined for 48 assists.
 
FIRST SET: Black Hills State got out to a hot start in the opening set of the match, jumping ahead to an early 10-1 lead. MSUB quickly answered, going on a 7-0 run to backed by a pair of kills from Taulua to bring them within two. The set proved to be streaky as Black Hills scored six scoreless points of their own to take the 17-11 lead, forcing MSUB to use their second timeout. Black Hills carried their momentum following the timeout and ultimately took the set 25-20.
 
SECOND SET: Black Hills again got out to an early 6-3 lead, but this time was ended quickly due to a 7-2 run by the Yellowjackets to take the 10-8 lead. BHS would regain a 12-10 lead, but Fa'ali'i went three straight kills paired with two attacking errors to give MSUB the 15-12 advantage. MSUB would continue to extend their lead to as much as four, but Black Hills would eventually knot the set at 18-all. From there it was back-and-forth volleyball, being notched up six more times until the 'Jackets finally pulled out the 26-24 win to even up the match 1-1.
 
SET THREE: The Yellowjackets carried their momentum from the second set, getting out to an early 7-3 lead behind a pair of kills and a pair of service aces from Fa'ali'i. MSUB would continue to extend their lead to 15-7, forcing BHS to call a timeout. From there, it was all Montana State Billings volleyball, the 'Jackets went on another 10-3 run, backed behind Fa'ali'I who had four kills and one ace to lead them to a third set win of 25-10.
 
FOURTH SET: The fourth set of the match started out even keeled just as the precious two, with both squads tied up at five. That was until MSUB went on a 9-2 run backed by four kills from Taulua and a pair of kills from Fa'ali'i and Julia Gordon. From there, Black Hills went on a 6-2 run of their own to bring them within three. Following, MSUB took control, scoring five unanswered points and Gordon putting it away to take the set 25-18.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Jordin Taulua: 18 Kills, 7 Digs, 2 BA
Christine Funk: 25 Digs, 3 Assists, 1 Kill
Addie Allen: 27 Assists, 15 Digs
Julia Gordon: 11 Kills, .409 Pct., 5 BA, 2 BS
 
THE BUZZ: Jahsita Fa'ali'i was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a career high 20 kills, while hitting .327 with 15 digs and three service aces.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team is back in action tomorrow at 12 & 4 PM against South Dakota Mines and the University of Sioux Falls for their second day of the Yellow Jacket Classic.