Lady Jackets Cruise at Western Tourney (9/9/05)
Match 1 Box Score
Match 2 Box Score

DILLON, MT – The Montana State-Billings volleyball team breezed through the first day of the University of Montana-Western Invitational on Friday, winning both of its matches in quick fashion.  The Yellowjackets swept Westminster College and University of Great Falls to improve to 8-2 on the season.  MSU Billings wraps up the tournament and its non-conference schedule on Saturday with matches against Montana-Western and Montana Tech.

“The main thing I told the girls today was that we had to keep our level of play high,” said Yellowjacket head coach Pa’ulasi Matavo.  “I think we did that.  The girls got out to early starts and kept playing.  They didn’t let teams back into the games.” 

The Jackets wasted little time dispatching Westminster in their morning match, winning 30-16, 30-15, 30-26.  The Griffins managed just a .022 team hitting percentage for the match, including .000 percentages in the second and third games.  The Yellowjacket offense pounded out 45 kills on just 84 attempts, posting a .333 team hitting percentage.

Ali Watson (Jr., Calgary, Alberta) led all players with 17 kills on a .500 attack percentage.  She posted her eighth double-double of the season with 10 digs.  Jessica Bratton (Jr., Casper, WY) finished with 11 kills, five digs and two blocks.  Alicia Cazemier (So., Vauxhall, Alberta) added 10 kills and three blocks.  MSU Billings setter Natalie Bills (Jr., Provo, UT) handed out 36 assists.

Westminster was led by Angie Johnson’s 13 kills.  Celestial Alofipo had seven kills, but was also forced into eight attack errors.

The sweep of the Argos in the evening match was just as decisive as the Jackets’ morning win.  After a competitive first game, the Yellowjackets won 30-27, 30-13, 30-17.  MSU Billings had a sizzling .376 team hitting percentage in the match, limiting the Argos to just .113. 

Watson and Cazemier led the way with 13 kills apiece.  Bratton again had 11 kills, this time without an error in 19 attempts for a .579 attack percentage.  Bills dished out 39 assists and led the team with nine digs.  Jessica Lechner (Fr., Huntley, MT) and Alexis Sandru (Jr., Twin Bridges, MT) each posted six kills.  Sandru, who was playing in front a friendly crowd just 30 miles from her hometown, also had six digs.  Nicole Kruse (So., Huntley, MT) added eight digs from her libero position.  Freshman Taylor Faught (Billings, MT) served up four aces.

Great Fall was led by eight kills and eight digs from Claudia Jacobs.  Jennifer Wright and Lesly Richter each recorded seven kills.

“Ali and Alicia had big days,” said Matavo.  “Jessica played well on the outside.  Alexis gave us some big defensive games today.  She had some amazing plays playing in front of her family.  The one that will be overlooked in the stats will be Nicole.  She’s serving great right now and really scrambling on the passes.  Overall I was pretty pleased with the day.  The kids are starting to accomplish some goals that we gave them.  If we win again tomorrow, we’ll go into the conference schedule on a high note.  The kids are gaining confidence.”

The Yellowjackets open Heartland Conference play on September 16 when they host St. Mary’s University (TX) at 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  St. Mary’s placed third in the Heartland last year.