BISMARCK, N.D. — Despite a career performance from
Allie Dorman, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Bemidji State, 20-25, 25-16, 25-12, and 25-19, Saturday morning at the McDowell Activity Center to wrap up play at the U Mary Volleyball Invitational.
Dorman, sophomore outside hitter, turned in the best offensive performance of her career, recording 16 kills while hitting a career-high .469. The Colorado Springs, CO native committed just one attacking error on 32 swings and accounted for nearly half of the Yellowjackets' kills.
Mikayla Champlin added six kills while hitting .333 and matched a team-high with three blocks, while
Laina Whitney chipped in six kills.
Avery Starr dished out 27 assists and added five kills on a .625 hitting percentage, two blocks and seven digs.
The Yellowjackets (1-3) opened the match by claiming the first set but were unable to slow Bemidji State's offense over the final three frames. MSUB finished with 40 kills on a .147 hitting percentage while recording 37 assists, 35 digs, eight blocks and two service aces.
"Proud of their fight throughout the entire match," said head coach
Scott Keister. "They responded well to every challenge which is all we are asking of them to do right now. Excited to get back in the gym before we head to Texas for the Javelina Classic."
MSUB came out firing in the opening set, hitting .343 with 17 kills to take a 25-20 victory. The Yellowjackets battled through a tightly contested frame before using a late surge to seize the early advantage.
Bemidji State responded in the second set, limiting MSUB to four kills while hitting .480 as a team to even the match with a 25-16 win.
The Beavers carried that momentum into the third set, taking advantage of Yellowjacket attacking errors to earn a 25-12 victory and move one set away from the match.
MSUB remained competitive throughout the fourth set, which featured 14 tie scores, but Bemidji State pulled away late to claim the 25-19 win and secure the match.
THE BUZZ: Allie Dorman was named Player of the Game after turning in 16 kills with a .469 hitting percentage while offering up just one attacking error.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will return to the court next weekend at the Javelina Volleyball Classic in Kingsville, Texas, beginning tournament play Friday, Sept. 4, against Edinboro before taking on St. Mary's later that day.
