MSUB drops match to Rocky 3-1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu

October 20, 2015 Close opening sets, but Rocky surges in the 4th for the 3-1 victory over MSUB

Audri Marrs swung for a season-high 13 kills in the match against Rocky Mountain College.

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MSU Billings records a set and plays it close, but a big surge from Rocky in the fourth frame sends the Yellowjackets back as the Battle in Billings goes to the Battlin' Bears 3-1.

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Yellowjackets played point for point in the first three sets, but a big surge in the fourth set from the Battlin' Bears led to a 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 25-11) defeat for MSUB Tuesday night. Audri Marrs finished with a season-high 13 kills and six blocks in the match. Four Yellowjackets finished with digs in the double-digits as the MSUB defense stretched hard across the floor for a slight edge of 80-79 over RMC. “I thought Audri Marrs had a great night tonight,” MSUB head coach Lisa Axel said. “She came into the match taking some big swings and using some shots she has not used all season and she was very effective.”

Marrs was the only player from Montana State University Billings (3-16) that finished above 10 kills. Taylor Albertson came close with nine, and Stormy Siemion contributed eight, but the MSUB offense was limited to just .027 hitting on the night and were out-blocked at the net 12.0-10.0.

MSUB’s Kyndal Williams led all players with 40 assists. Libero Kimmy Kirk and Taylor Sherman both had 15 digs for MSUB. Williams and Albertson both had four blocks.

“We have to find a way to limit our hitting errors to beat a good team,” Axel continued. “All of our pin hitters hit negative tonight and it is hard to win a match when that happens. I thought we battled very hard for the first three sets and just did not fight to the end of the match.”

The two teams fought hard through the first three sets that included 18 tie scores and eight lead changes. MSUB completed 13 kills in each of the first three sets, but dropped to seven in the fourth set as Rocky surged to a .317 attack percentage at the net, and dominated with 15 terminations.

Ahlea Billis completed a double-double for Rocky Mountain College (22-4) with 12 kills and 14 digs. Led by Libero Brooke Myers who finished with a match-high 20 digs on the night, five players from RMC tallied above 10 in the dig column. Tori Bertsch finished with 35 assists. Mariah Stiffarm completed nine kills on a .200 attack percentage and Sydney Matheny led the Battlin’ Bears in blocks with four.

Rocky opened the match with a 5-0 run. Ashlynn Ward recorded Junior Stormy Siemion the first point of the night for MSUB on a crosscourt kill. The Yellowjackets searched for adjustments and after winning two points, only to have them sent back on service errors, down by seven 14-7, MSUB called for a timeout.

Returning to the court, Ward smacked a good attack, but it would take another by Abbie Mikelson and one by Albertson to earn the point. On the next rally, a ball ricocheted off the shoulder of Kimmy Kirk followed by a point from Sherman closing the gap to five at 15-10.

Marrs sent one straight down the middle, but a nice recovery from RMC and a left-handed swing from Hailey Copinga directed the ball back to the Bears’ side. Rocky stretched its advantage to six, 21-15. Using some smart hits and great defense along with a set dump from Williams, MSUB clawed back to within three, 22-19.

Another Yellowjacket point on a double block from Albertson and Williams closed to within two, 22-20.

Albertson stopped a set point with a great attack down the center, and another double block on the outside had the Yellowjackets within reach 24-23. On a close rally, Rocky finished the set on a kill off the block from Billis for a 25-23 first set lead.

The second set opened with both teams firing. Solid defense from each side, but MSU Billings making smart choices on its shot selection had the ‘Jackets ahead 7-3. Stiffarm rebounded with a point for Rocky, and a block on the outside gave the Battlin’ Bears momentum.

Stacking points, Rocky closed to within one 8-7, but back-to-back service errors from Rocky opened the door for the ‘Jackets to jump back ahead. A solo block from Williams shot MSUB ahead by four, 12-8. The Yellowjackets gave one back on their own service error and RMC took advantage, pushing closer with a 7-1 run. MSUB ended the streak with a point for 15-13 on a Ward attack that slid down the net to the right side line.

The Bears caught up with a Stiffarm attack for 15-all. Keeping it close, both teams clashed down the stretch. The ‘Jackets pushed ahead earning points from Marrs and an outside block from Williams and Marrs. Marrs earned a set point on a great slide kill and an ace from Mataia Roderick closed the second set, evening the match at a set apiece.

Rocky opened the third set hot leading 5-2. The Yellowjacket shot right back with three straight, getting kills from Marrs and Siemion and a block from Marrs and Williams.

Albertson pounded a kill off a short set from Williams to open a 10-8 lead. Mikelson added one more before a block from Rocky switched the ball. A triple block from the Yellowjackets broke a 12-all tie and a great kill down the line from Mikelson pushed another point sending the Battlin’ Bears to the bench at 16-12. Keeping up the 7-0 point spread, Marrs collected two more kills before a service error from the ‘Jackets stopped the run.

Needing to get back in the set, Rocky forced MSUB’s hand, shutting down the floor with seven straight errors from the Yellowjackets. On a point the Bears thought was dead, Marrs went straight up on an overpass to earn the ball back at 1916. MSUB committed another three straight errors giving Rocky a chance, but with a double hit the Battlin’ Bears gave the ball back to MSUB and Marrs took advantage on her 10th kill of the match for a 21-19 lead.

Down to the wire, MSUB recorded another service error, but a corresponding one from Rocky tied the score at 23. After a terrific dig from Siemion, the Yellowjackets sent one over the net, but a kill from Abbie Hanser through the block earned Rocky a set point. A block from Stiffarm in the middle, gave the Bears a second chance at the set, and this time Rocky forced an error, taking the set 26-24 and a 2-1 set lead.

Struggling defensively, MSUB started the fourth frame slow. A block from Mikelson and Marrs halted the Rocky swings, but another kill down the line from Copinga for 7-3 was the answer back. Keeping up, Rocky climbed the scoreboard, adding three more for a 9-3 lead and a timeout from the MSUB bench.

Needing a break, the ‘Jackets got one on the serve from Rocky’s side, but the Yellowjackets were unable to capitalize as Tess Hellerud fired the misstep back with a short shot on the right side.

Keeping a comfortable distance, Rocky stretched closer to the finish line. MSUB peppered in points, including a big kill from Marrs for 17-10, but Rocky steamrolled the rest of the way, finishing on seven straight points, and with a double block from Bertsch and Matheny ended the match in the fourth set 25-11.

THE BUZZ: Marrs earns her third St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Match this season for her performance….Williams continues her streak of matches with 30 or more assists taking her total to eight…this was the 54th meeting between the two schools with MSUB holding the edge 36-18.

UP NEXT: MSU Billings hosts two more home matches this week. The Yellowjackets welcome Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. followed by a match against Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 20, also at 7:00 p.m.

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