‘Jacket volleyball falls in 5 sets to South Dakota Mines

Editors note: This is a release from MSUB Athletics. CHADRON, Neb. – Maddi Vigil, Bayli Monck, and Alexa Smythe all posted double-doubles for Montana State University Billings, but South Dakota School of Mines and Technology edged the Yellowjackets 3-2 (19-25, 25-21, 27-29, 20-18) in the first game of the Chadron State Tournament Friday morning at Chicoine Center. The ‘Jackets capitalized on their fifth set point in the third to take a 2-1 lead, but failed to convert five match points in the fifth to put away the Hardrockers. “That was an exciting match to start the season with,” said head coach Casey Williams. “We made some good plays and got much better as the match went on. Both Bayli and Joelle had great offensive matches and we saw Makayla make some great defensive moves. I’m ready to get back at it in a couple hours.” Dana Thompson of the Hardrockers led all players with 23 kills. Thompson also had two service aces, 16 digs, and hit .219. Bayli Monck impressed in her junior debut and tied her career high 20 kills on .286 hitting. Monck also made 19 digs for her fourth career double-double and added three block assists and one service ace. Middle blocker Joelle Mahowald led the team with a .419 hitting percentage on 15 kills and two errors. Mahowald also chipped in four block assists and one solo block. Freshman middle blocker Hannah Hayden contributed with four total blocks for the ‘Jackets and outside hitter Maddi Vigil connected on 12 of 20 attack attempts and added 11 digs for her 25th career double-double. After splitting two close sets, MSU Billings got off to a slow start in set three but worked from behind to take a 20-19 lead. After squandering five set points, Monck made a kill to give the ‘Jackets the 2-1 lead. South Dakota Mines hit .391 with nine kills in the fourth set and both teams ran into negative hitting percentages in the fifth. The ‘Jackets hit .266 as a team compared to .193 for SDSMT. MSUB also limited attack errors to seven. The Hardrockers had nine service aces to MSUB’s total of seven. Freshman libero/defensive specialist Makayla Baca made her ‘Jacket debut and came up with 24 digs from the back row along with two service aces and four assists. Junior setter Alexa Smythe posted more than 50 assists for the second time in her career with 52, three short of her career high 55. THE BUZZ: The Hardrockers and Yellowjackets went to five sets in the season opener in 2018, but the score reversed this season to favor South Dakota Mines…Bayli Monck was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game for MSUB. UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets continue in the Chadron State Tournament with a match against University of Sioux Falls Friday at 4:30 p.m. The match will be streamed online and have live statistics available through the link HERE.