FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, September 1, 2015 Bears hold on for 3-1 win over ‘Jackets in exhibition match Tuesday
MSUB rallies for an electrifying 38-36 victory in Set 2, but Rocky Mountain College holds tough for a 3-1 victory over the ‘Jackets in an exhibition match on Tuesday. BILLINGS, Mont. – The Yellowjackets and Battlin’ Bears brought the Fortin Center to its feet Tuesday evening with an electrifying 38-36 third set, but the set victory for the Montana State University Billings volleyball team was the only one in a 3-1 exhibition loss to Rocky Mountain College. The match featured 37 ties and 16 lead changes – 24 and a dozen of which, respectively occurred in the third set alone. “It has been a long time since the score has gone up that high,” Axel commented on the extended third frame. “For us to keep battling through that, and to keep going out and taking big swings and being aggressive was huge. It is a testament to our players being confident in themselves.” Junior Ashlynn Ward led all players in the match with 21 kills, while freshman Miranda McConnell added a dozen put downs for the ‘Jackets. Kyndal Williams had all 55 of MSUB’s assists on the match, and four Yellowjackets reached double figures in the digs category. Freshman Taylor Sherman and junior Kimmy Kirk tied for the team high with 16 ups, Mataia Roderick had 14, and Stormy Siemion added 13.
“I liked how we were able to turn it around,” Axel said regarding dropping the first two sets before the big win in Set 3. “I think we had some nerves the first couple games, and after that second game we could have folded. For them to battle back gives us a lot of confidence going into our preseason.” For the Bears, Ahlea Billis led the way with 18 kills while Mariah Stiffarm was close behind with 17. Sydney Matheny (12) and Tess Hellerud (11) were also in double figures in kills, while setter Tori Bertsch had 51 assists on the game. After battling to a 5-5 tie early on, RMC won four-straight points to pull ahead. The Bears used the momentum to pull ahead 14-9, but a nice push kill from Taylor Albertson shifted the serve back to the ‘Jackets. RMC pulled away however, building a double-digit edge and closing out the first set 25-13.
1Freshman Taylor Sherman.
Much like the first set, the teams traded points to the tune of 5-4 in favor of the Bears early on in the second. A big kill by Billis pushed RMC to a five-point 11-6 lead and prompted Axel to burn her first timeout of the second set.
Regaining their momentum out of the break, the ‘Jackets won three straight points capped by a Siemion kill to pull within two, 11-9. Hellerud finally finished a furious rally between the teams, extending Rocky’s lead back to five points at 14-9. The breathing room proved to be enough for the Bears, who pulled away and closed the set with a solo block by Billis. Starting the third set strongly, MSUB jumped ahead 5-1 as the ‘Jackets showed signs of life. RMC nudged its way back into the set however, and after a loud kill by Ward the score read 10-10. Kills by Abbie Mikelson and McConnell helped the ‘Jackets keep pace, as Billis punched down a pair more moving the score to 13-13. Another kill by McConnell was followed by a service ace from Roderick, forcing RMC to use a timeout with the ‘Jackets leading 18-15. A dual block by Stiffarm and Billis again got Rocky back into the set, and Stiffarm muscled down a loud kill on the next point to tie the score at 22-22 in the third set. Fourteen tie scores later the line read 36-36. A Ward kill gave the ‘Jackets set point, and McConnell ended the marathon with an ace as MSUB took Set 3 38-36. The teams didn’t break stride as the fourth set began, with the Bears building a narrow 10-9 lead early. A big solo block by Hellerud capped off a three-point spurt by RMC, pushing Axel to burn a timeout with the score at 13-9. Back-to-back kills by Ward brought Rocky’s rally to a halt, evening the score at 15-15. RMC took five of the next six points however, and the ‘Jackets took a timeout to prepare for another comeback attempt down 20-16. It was freshman Hailey Copinga’s turn to team up with Stiffarm for a block, and an attack error by MSUB on match point gave the Bears the final point and a 25-17 Set 3 win.
Ward was named the St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game thanks to her game-high 21 kills. NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets kick off the first of two consecutive road trips on Friday, with a pair of matches in California at the Route 92 Classic. MSUB will challenge the Academy of Art and Dominguez Hills in its first two regular season contests of the 2015 season. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--