BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team (1-3) dropped both contests on Friday, falling 3-0 to the University of Mary and narrowly losing a five-set thriller to the University of Manitoba (CAN), 3-2. The Yellowjackets now shift focus to their home and conference opener next Thursday at 7:00 PM against the University of Alaska Anchorage.
 
Despite the setbacks, all 12 Yellowjackets saw court time, gaining valuable experience for the newly revamped program. Libero Avarey Stuff was a defensive standout, recording 22 digs in the opener and a career-high 31 in the second match. Setter Reese Sherwood also impressed, tallying 24 and 32 assists respectively, along with 18 digs and 10 kills across both matches. On offense, Addison Holcomb led the attack with 11 kills in the first match and followed it up with a double-double performance—12 kills and 11 digs—in the second.
 
"We battled the whole match in the first game but again were just a couple points short in all three sets", said head coach Scott Keister. "We just need to work on eliminating the small errors here and there. Even though we lost the second match I feel so good about our potential and growth as a team. Our opponent was really good, very physical, and were solid in every position. The only downfall was our blocking, but we will for sure be in the gym working on that as soon as we get back."
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 0; U MARY 3
With a quick turnaround to the first game of the day, it was the Marauders that came out hot in the early game. U Mary was nearly flawless in the opening set, posting 15 kills with an impressive .324 team hitting percentage and three service aces to add. The Yellowjackets kept it tight but a late 9-3 run from the Marauders led them to a 25-16 edge in set one.
 
Similar to the first set, U Mary got ahead to an early 12-10 lead but this time it didn't last long. Holcomb, Marissa Allen, Allie Dorman, and Stella Scott each chipped in a kill to give them the 14-13 advantage heading into the first timeout of the set. Out of the timeout the Marauders bounced back to take another three-point advantage but the 'Jackets again went on a 7-2 run behind a pair of aces and a pair of kills from Jordin Taulua to take the 22-20 advantage. From there it was back-and-forth, but it was U Mary coming away with the 26-24 win.
 
After dropping the first two sets, MSUB responded immediately with a 7-3 start to the third set, led by a pair of kills from Holcomb. The Marauders didn't lay down though as they were able to tie it back up at 10 apiece and eventually retake a 15-13 lead. From there it was a back-and-forth battle until U Mary went on a late 6-2 run to take the set 25-21 and ultimately win the match 3-0.

Avarey had her Stuff today🔥

The 'Jackets narrowly fall 3-2 in a five set thriller to the University of Manitoba (CAN).

Avarey Stuff was named Intermountain Health Player of the game after posting 31 digs , 8 assists, and 1 service ace!#msubsports | #msubvb pic.twitter.com/zUO2RFjCwO

— MSUB Volleyball (@MSUBVB) September 12, 2025

 
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 2; MANITOBA 3
Game two brought a thrilling five-set showdown against the University of Manitoba. After dropping the first set, MSUB came alive in the second, jumping out to a 7-3 lead. Manitoba tied it up at 11-11, but the Yellowjackets surged ahead 17-12 thanks in part to two kills from Dorman. They held on to take the set 25-21.
 
Riding their momentum into the third, MSUB opened with dominant 5-0 and 8-1 runs, capped off by consecutive Holcomb kills for a 13-5 advantage. Manitoba fought back, narrowing the gap, but Sherwood closed it out with a decisive kill to give the Yellowjackets another 25-21 win and a 2-1 match lead.
 
The fourth set, however, belonged entirely to the Bison, who hit over .450 as a team and cruised to a 25-11 victory.
In a high-energy fifth set, both teams traded early points with MSUB leading 5-4 after back-to-back kills from Allen and Sherwood. Manitoba responded with a critical 6-1 run to take a 10-6 lead. Taulua added a pair of late kills, but it wasn't enough as the Bison closed out the set 15-10 to win the match.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES (GAME ONE):
Stella Scott: 8 K, .500 HP, 1 BA, 1 SA, 1 A
Reese Sherwood: 24 A, 13 D, 5 K, 1 BA
Avarey Stuff: 22 D, 4 A, 1 SA, 1 K
Addison Holcomb: 11 K, 8 D, 1 SA
Jordin Taulua: 8 K, 6 D, 1 A
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES (GAME TWO):
Reese Sherwood: 32 A, 5 D, 5 K, 3 SA, 1 BA
Avarey Stuff: 31 D, 8 A, 1 SA
Addison Holcomb: 12 K, 11 D, 2 SA, 1 BS
Allie Dorman: 10 K, 5 D, 1 SA, 1 A
Marissa Allen: 8 K, 3 D, 2 A, 1 BA
 
THE BUZZ: Stella Scott was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one and Avarey Stuff was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team will return to Billings for their home opener against the University of Alaska Fairbanks on September 18^th at 7 PM.