BILLINGS, Mont.- In a dramatic opening to the 2025 Rimrock Rivalry, the MSU Billings Yellowjackets and Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears delivered a five-set showdown filled with momentum swings, standout performances, and electric energy from the home crowd. Ultimately, the Yellowjackets came up just short in a 3-2 loss (21-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-17, 15-12), despite controlling much of the match and leading in nearly every statistical category.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-8) looked poised to sweep their crosstown rivals after claiming the first two sets by identical 25-21 scores. But the Battlin' Bears (1-13) flipped the script midway through, taking control in sets three and four with strong defensive play and consistent pressure at the net. Rocky's late surge culminated in a tense fifth set that saw both teams trading points before the Bears pulled away with four straight points to seal the comeback win.
 
Despite the loss, the atmosphere and turnout for the kids of St. Vincents Intermountain Health was second to none. Hundreds of fans came to support while donating stuffed animals, books/puzzles, and toys that the Yellowjacket volleyball team will take to the pediatric floor and give to the children.
 
On the court, freshman outside hitter Allie Dorman delivered a breakout performance for the 'Jackets. The true freshman was nearly unstoppable, registering a season-high 20 kills while hitting over .350. She added five service aces, eight digs, and two block assists, making it one of the most complete performances to date from a Yellowjacket.

Allie Killed It❌

Game one of the Rimrock Rivalry went down to the wire but unfortunately the 'Jackets fell 3-2 to Rocky Mountain.

Allie Dorman was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game!#msubsports | #msubvb pic.twitter.com/xwVuYfdL3D

— MSUB Volleyball (@MSUBVB) October 1, 2025

 
Jordin Taulua added another strong showing with 13 kills, nine digs, and 2.5 blocks, while Kenzie Allen facilitated the offense with precision, recording a career-best 42 assists along with 12 digs for her first double-double of the season.
 
As a team the Yellowjackets led in nearly every statistical category, edging the Battlin' Bears in total points 73-62, kills 54-49, blocks 7-6, and assists 50-43. Losing the efficiency battle .184-.119 for team hitting percentage, MSUB made up ground at the service line, posting a season high of 12 team aces.
 
It looked as if it may be a three-set sweep for the Yellowjackets, claiming the first and second sets 25-21 to take the 2-0 set advantage. This was when Rocky Mountain found their groove to also win back-to-back sets 25-17 to force set five.
 
In the decisive fifth set, both teams were locked in early, battling to a 4-4 tie. Rocky surged ahead with a 5-2 run to make it 9-6, but the Yellowjackets responded with four straight points—highlighted by back-to-back kills from Dorman—to take a 10-9 lead. MSUB continued to battle, briefly holding a 12-11 edge, but Rocky capitalized on a late run to score the final four points and close out the match 15-12.
 
STATISTIC LEADERS
Kills: Allie Dorman (20)
Hitting Percentage: Allie Dorman (.356)
Assists: Kenzie Allen (42)
Aces: Allie Dorman (5)
Blocks: Marissa Allen (5)
Digs: Avarey Stuff (15)
 
THE BUZZ: Allie Dorman was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team is back in action this Thursday and Saturday, facing off against Central Washington on October 2^nd at 7 PM and Northwest Nazarene on October 4^th at 1 PM.