BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (2-0) earned their second victory on the day after downing the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (1-1) with a final score of 3-1 (26-24, 25-23, 24-26, 22-14).
 
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "Overall we had a great start to the season today. I was proud how we fought against a tough Black Hills team and grinded out a victory. We found a way to get in system pretty consistently with good serve receive and scrappy defense that turned into a balanced offense."
 
The Friday night lights were everything you could ask for with three of the four sets being decided by just two points. The stars showed out for the 'Jackets as they had three players with double digit kills and three players with 15 plus digs. Jordin Taulua led the offense with 16 kills, two aces, and eight digs, but close behind was Julia Gordon and Jahsita Fa'ali'i with 12 kills apiece. The trio combined for 40 kills, six service aces, and 49 total points. This was all possible from true freshman Addie Allen who posted a stat line to remember. Allen dished 40 assists and also tallied 19 digs, two service aces, and a pair of kills. On the defensive end, Christine Funk did the heavy lifting, collecting 27 total digs and also posted seven assists, and two service aces.
 
Despite dropping a set, MSUB bested Black Hills in almost every major statistic. The Yellowjackets led in kills 58-44, service aces 11-6, total assists 47-42, total digs 86-84, and outhit Black Hills .173-.136. The opening set of the match proved that it would be an all-out battle, featuring four lead changes and was notched up 12 different times. MSUB got out to an early 6-3 lead until Black Hills came storming back on a 4-0 run to take the 7-6 lead. From there, Black Hills was able to extend their lead to as much as four until Allen took control. Allen went back-to-back service aces that would start an 8-1 MSUB run and with a one-point lead Kenzie Nealon closed the door to take the first set 26-24.
 
The second and third set were no different with both squads trading punches and unable to pull away. The 'Jackets were able to come up with the 25-23 win in the second set behind Taulua, Fa'ali'i, and Gordon who all posted four kills in the set to help MSUB take the 2-0 lead in the match. The third set was no different, both teams battled to match point, but it was Black Hills who took the set 26-24 behind an impressive performance from outside hitter Brooke Miller who ended her day with 17 kills and 22 digs while hitting .318. The final set was decided before it started and the Yellowjackets were not going to let this match go to five sets. MSUB went on six runs of two or more points, including a 15-3 run to win the set 25-15 and ultimately take the match 3-1.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Addie Allen – 40 Assists, 19 Digs, 2 Aces
Julia Gordon – 12 Kills, .324 Pct., 1 Ace, 1 BA
Jahsita Fa'ali'i – 12 Kills, 3 Aces, 15 Digs, 1 BS, 1 BA
Christine Funk – 27 Digs, 7 Assists, 2 Aces
 
THE BUZZ: Jordin Taulua was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a double-double with 16 kills, 10 digs, two service aces, and two block assists.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets are back in action tomorrow for day two of the Yellowjacket Volleyball Invitational. MSUB will have a doubleheader slate with game one vs Minot State at 11:30 AM and game two vs Black Hills State at 2:00 PM.