BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (6-3) claimed victory in their first Rimrock Rivalry matchup of the season. The Yellowjackets downed the Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears (9-4) with a final score of  3-1 (25-12,25-19,22-25,25-16). After improving to a six and three record, MSUB ties their program record for most preseason wins in the GNAC era.
 
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "We did a great job of working together as a team tonight! Everyone pulled their weight, and this was a great team win. I am so proud of our bounce back after the third set and keeping control the whole match."
 
The Rimrock Rivalry showdown was everything you could ask for, a packed Alterowitz Gym, and MSUB coming out on top. The Yellowjackets dominated the game, leading RMC in total kills 58-38, team hitting percentage .248-.106, total assists 50-35, service aces 8-5, solo blocks 5-1, and total digs 76-62.
 
The dynamic duo, Jahsita Fa'ali'i and Jordin Taulua put on a show at the outside pin position. The pair combined for 36 kills, 31 digs, six service aces, and four blocks. Christine Funk again locked down the defense, posting 25 digs which is good for 6.25 digs per set and also had three assists. Emma Fa'alogo led the way in the setting position, posting a season high 26 assists with a pair of kills and a service ace.
 
The first and second set of the night was a breeze for the Yellowjackets, outscoring the Battlin' Bears 50-35. The 'Jackets were nearly flawless, posting 41 kills and hitting over .300 as a team in the opening two frames. MSUB ran into some adversity in the third set of the night after Rocky held them to just a .059 hitting percentage and eventually took the set 25-22. In the fourth set, Rocky kept their momentum going after taking an early 10-5 lead, forcing MSUB to take a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, MSUB went on a 10-2 run, followed by a 10-4 run to take the third set 25-16 and winning the match.
 
STATISTIC LEADERS
Kills: Jordin Taulua (17)
Assists: Emma Fa'alogo (26)
Aces: Jahsita Fa'ali'i (5)
Digs: Christine Funk (25)
Blocks: Julia Gordon (4)
 
THE BUZZ: Emma Fa'alogo was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a season best 26 assists with two kills, three digs, and one service ace.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team opens their 2024 GNAC Conference slate, hosting Seattle Pacific on September 21^st. The conference matchup will be at 1:00 PM in Alterowitz Gym.