FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu October 25, 2016 'Jackets come roaring back for 4 set win over Battlin' Bears during pink match MSUB Volleyball on Facebook | MSUB Volleyball Stack on ISSUU | Box Score Post match interviews with Stormy Siemion, Ashlynn Ward, and head coach Casey Williams
MSUB defeats Rocky Mountain College in four sets during a pink match at Alterowitz.
A determined effort from MSUB leads to a four set win during a special pink match at Alterowitz as the Yellowjackets roar back, defeating non-conference and crosstown rival Rocky Mountain College in front of an electric crowd. BILLINGS, Mont. – After a slow start, the Yellowjackets roared back, winning a four set victory over crosstown rival and non-conference opponent Rocky Mountain College 21-25, 25-18, 25-19, and 25-18 during MSUB’s annual pink match Tuesday at Alterowitz. After falling in the opening set by four, the Yellowjackets regrouped, holding the lead for most of the remaining sets to earn the win. The victory stops a three match losing streak to the Battlin’ Bears dating back to Oct. 29, 2013. “I was impressed with our performance tonight,” head coach Casey Williams said. “I thought that we hit well, passed well and blocked well. We had some people step-up tonight in both Miranda and Faith. I also thought that we came out a little nervous in the first set. We had a big crowd and the pressure playing a crosstown rival got to us, so I was happy to see us gel a little more as a team, making aggressive plays the rest of the match.”
Led by big nights from freshman Faith Taylor and sophomore Miranda McConnell, the Yellowjackets dominated the stat sheet. Taylor, a local product from Huntley, Mont., captured a season-high 27 digs, besting a 20 dig performance from two weeks ago as MSUB recorded a team season-high 92 total digs in the four set match. At the libero position for MSUB, Taylor was all over the floor for the ‘Jackets in the back court, while also recording five assists. McConnell was just one under her career-high, matching a season-high of 14 kills on a match-leading .367 (14-3-30) attack percentage. The middle blocker tied MSUB’s Casey Rich with a match-high five blocks. The front line for MSUB had an effective night, posting 10.0 team blocks over 8.0 from Rocky Mountain College. Matching McConnell in kills were senior outside hitters Ashlynn Ward and Stormy Siemion. Both players were equally productive in the back court, finishing with double-doubles. Siemion collected 22 digs with Ward adding in 11. Kylee Cornelio finished with 15 digs as four players for MSUB finished in the double-figures. Mataia Robinson posted a doubledouble with 20 assists and 11 digs. Angala Jensen led the match in assists with 26, adding four digs, three kills, and two blocks. The Yellowjackets had 18 more kills (58-40), and 18 more assists (56-38) than RMC. MSUB limited the Battlin’ Bears to a .107 (29022168) attack percentage at the net. With the win, Montana State University Billings improves to 4-18 overall while Rocky Mountain College falls to 11-15. Kylie Hadley with nine and Hailey Copinga at eight led the Battlin’ Bears in kills. Holland Ferguson finished with 23 digs, Copinga 16, and Hadley 11. Annie Cooke recorded 18 assists and Copinga made it a double-double night with 16 assists. Copinga and Andraya Hawks each had four blocks. Jensen gave the ‘Jackets the early lead in the opening set 5-2 after a kill from a Cornelio feed. A sneaky touch kill from Siemion pulled MSUB ahead 7-6. Jensen on a setter’s dump and McConnell with a short kill in the middle drove MSUB ahead. A kill from RMC’s Savannah Smith tied the set at 10. Four blocks for the Battlin’ Bears provided RMC with a 14-11 advantage. An unopposed kill from Lexa de Jesus earned MSUB a side out. A double block from Ward and Rich kept the ‘Jackets close. Rocky took a 3-point lead, but out of a timeout the ‘Jackets fought back. Siemion earned a side out on a kill off the block and a kill from McConnell tied the score at 18. Two straight errors from the Battlin’ Bears opened up a 20-18 lead. Countering, Rocky took the lead back with four straight points ended on a service ace from Hadley. A well-fought point went to the Battlin’ Bears off a kill from Daniella Russell. Tall at the net, McConnell blocked a ball straight down. Smith found an open spot for the set point and finished the frame on an error from MSUB. Roaring back in the second frame, MSU Billings produced an opening 7-0 rally. Rocky earned a point on a MSUB error, but McConnell collected the ball right back with a short kill on a bump set from Robinson. Ward smoked a ball to the middle of the court after a bump set from Cornelio. With a back row attack, Siemion sent the score to a 10-4 lead. Cornelio made a smart choice, sending the ball over on the second touch to the far corner to catch the RMC defense offguard. Siemion tried an attack that was denied, but Ward earned her first back row attack of the match to keep the score rolling for MSUB. MSUB’s Bre Rodrigues took some heat off her swing, for a kill off the block. The teams traded service errors. Rocky dug into the deficit, drawing the score down to 15-11. Ward was ready at the net on an overpass to put the ball back. Rodrigues found a spot cross court from the right side for 18-12. Rich out of the middle and a reflexive pass from
Cornelio kept the ‘Jackets hot. Jensen found the line with her left hand for a 21-15 advantage. McConnell forced a ball through the hands of the block and Siemion was able to drive a ball off a RMC player into the stands for 23 points. Two errors from RMC, evened the match at a set a piece. Down 9-5, Siemion got a rally started with a hard shot cross court. Points from Ward and McConnell drew the deficit down by one, 9-8. Two hitting errors kept Rocky in charge of the scoreboard. Out of a timeout, Ward fired a ball down from a Robinson back set. Unable to handle an attack from Jensen, MSUB tied the score after a RMC ball handling error. A Cornelio float serve earned MSUB a 13-12 lead. Hadley tied the set at 15 by forcing a kill through the outside block. Siemion unloaded from the back row after two defensive gets from Roderick and Taylor. A kill off the block from Ward cleared a 3-point lead. Ward dealt with tight side, burying the kill on the line for 22-18. After a good serve from Ward, Jensen sent a short set to Rich who delivered a set point. On the outside, a loud double block from Rich and Jensen gave the ‘Jacket a 2-1 lead. Ward produced a kill off a bump set from Rich for a 7-1 opening advantage. Rodrigues and Rich came up on the outside and another big block on the outside for the ‘Jackets pushed MSUB out by eight points. Staying productive off the short set, Rich delivered an effective attack from the middle. Ward made a diving side in the back court and Rich finished a ball off the hands of the block for a 10 point 13-3 lead. Robinson served an ace and a double block from McConnell and Rich kept the margin at 10 points, 17-7. The Battlin’ Bears made one more short run with four straight points. Rodrigues shot a ball straight down the line from a Taylor bump set. Siemion earned a set point as a service ace from Robinson turned into the match winner for the ‘Jackets. THE BUZZ: Taylor named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Match….MSUB is now 37-19 all-time against Rocky and 26-7 at Alterowitz. UP NEXT: MSU Billings leaves for Alaska and two Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches in the northern state. The Yellowjackets face No. 11 Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 PM AKST followed by a 7 PM AKST match at Alaska on Thursday, Oct. 29. Representatives from St. Vincent’s EVA Project were on hand during the match against Rocky Mountain College.
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