Yellowjackets Come From Behind to Win Final Two, Down Skylights 3-2

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BISMARCK, N.D. – It was another exciting and character testing match for the Montana State Billings volleyball team as they defeated the Skylights of Montana State Northern, 21-25, 25-17, 18-25, 25-23, 15-7, in the first match of the Expressway Inn Invitational, hosted by the University of Mary.

“It was a great win for us again,” said head coach Steve Smith. “Tonight was just another one of those matches where we had our backs against the wall and the team came out in the fourth game and played with a different type of energy. This match was pretty similar to the Chaminade match last week, we were able to come from behind and take the win.”

MSUB was again led by Devon Crotteau who had an outstanding game with a .565 hitting percentage (25-2-46), six assists, 16 digs, and one block. Jen Boe added 13 kills and seven digs, while Hannah Johnson tallied 11 kills, one assist, one dig, and five blocks. Hillary Morrison led the team in assists with 46 on the night.

After dropping the first game, despite hitting .346 as a team, MSUB came out in game two with improved play. Leading 12-9, MSUB went on a 9-0 run, behind four Crotteau aces, to blow the game wide open. After a Melissa Porter ace, Crotteau slammed the game-winner and tied the match at one.

Game three saw the Yellowjackets fall behind 2-1 with an 18-25 loss. Like much of the season thus far, MSUB had to dig down deep in the fourth game to stay alive. Again it was big plays at the right times which helped the Yellowjackets claim a 25-23 victory and force the final game.

Carrying the momentum from the fourth game, MSUB wasted no time jumping on the Skylights in the final game. Crotteau made a miraculous save as the ball was headed toward the bleachers and managed to get the ball over the net as it led to a kill for the Yellowjackets on the next return. The Skylights managed to tie the game at six, but MSUB rattled off the next six points to take a 12-6 advantage, behind three kills by Boe. Johnson had the final kill for the Yellowjackets and two attack errors by Northern closed out the match for MSUB.  

MSU Northern (2-3) was led by Kayla Bossert with 14 kills and eight digs. Sierra Dahl added 12 kills, while Paige Richardson had 11 kills with nine digs. The Skylights hit .129 as a team (49-31-140) with 42 digs and four blocks.

MSUB (3-2) hit .255 as a team (60-25-137) with 58 assists, 46 digs and 12 blocks. The Yellojackets also won the service battle, getting eight service aces to the Skylights’ five.

MSUB will resume competition tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., taking on the Beavers of Minot State. Then, the Yellowjackets will finish play at the Expressway Inn Invitational with a contest against the University of Mary at 5 p.m. Both matches can be seen FREE via web stream by following this website http://216.235.170.75/livestats/. 

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