Yellowjackets Battle Strong in Losses

San Francisco State -Match 03

Cal State Stanislaus - Match 04

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Montana State University Billings volleyball team put forth a strong performance despite losing twice on the final day of the 2008 Seawolf Spike Tournament.  MSUB (0-4) lost 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 24-26, 25-22) to San Francisco State and 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-21) to Cal State Stanislaus.  The Yellowjackets head off to Durango, Colo., Sept 5-6, to play in the Fort Lewis Tournament.

“Even though we didn’t win, we showed today, signs of what is to come,” Said head coach Dana Cordova.  “I thought we really stepped up the level of play from yesterday.  These teams are very tough and talented and have been together for a long period of time.  We have absolutely nothing to hang our heads about.  We are still learning how to come together as a team and this past weekend has helped us improve in that area.”

In the opening match, San Francisco State closed out the first game on a 10-3 run. The following three games were all nail bitters.  In the third game, MSUB face their moment of truth trailing 24-19.  They force a service error and then Devon Crotteau served up six straight points to get the win.  In the fourth game, tied at 22-22, the Gators came up with three kills to end the match.

For MSUB, Crotteau pounded home 17 kills with two service aces and 19 digs while Jill Trabing had 25 digs.  Melissa Porter had a solid match with eight kills and a .667 hitting percentage.

For SFSU (2-1), Beth Perkins had 14 kills and 10 digs, Anne Hegli had 42 assists and Christina Johnson had five service aces and 17 digs.

Against Cal State Stanislaus, the Yellowjackets had their best hitting performance of the tournament with a .253 percentage.  Jennifer Boe led the way with 10 kills with Crotteau getting three service aces and 12 digs.