BILLINGS, MONT. --- On day two of the Montana State University Billings tournament, the Hardrocker Volleyball team had a great day, winning 6 of 7 sets played to defeat Minnesota State University Moorhead and Montana State University Billings to finish the tournament 3-1.

Match 1: Minnesota State University Moorhead
In the first match of the day the Hardrockers were able to take care of a tough Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent in Minnesota State University Moorhead in three sets.
The first set started with both teams matching each other point-for-point until the Hardrockers scored 7 straight points, due in part to the trio of Kiley Metzger, Victoria Zagorski, and Emma Grimm. That run gave South Dakota Mines a 13-5 lead. With a 13-6 lead, the Hardrockers would run off another four-straight points to take a 17-6 lead forcing MSU Moorhead into a timeout. The Dragons of MSU Moorhead would eventually battle back. Facing set point, MSU Moorhead rattled off four straight points cutting the Hardrocker lead to 24-21 before South Dakota Mines would close it out on a kill by Grimm.

The Hardrockers got out to another good start in set #2, jetting out to a 5-1 lead. From there the Hardrockers did a great job keeping MSU Moorhead at arm's reach. MSU Moorhead cut the lead to 9-6, and South Dakota Mines answered by scoring 6 of the next 7 points to take a 15-7 lead. Back-to-back points by the Hardrockers led to another MSU Moorhead timeout, with South Dakota Mines up 17-8. The two teams would trade points through the remainder of the set until the Hardrockers closed it out 25-18.

The Hardrockers dominated the third set from start to finish, scoring the first four points, then getting out to a 7-2 lead before an MSU Moorhead timeout. South Dakota mines would stay on the gas pedal, however scoring 6 straight points, to take a commanding 14-5 lead. Later, a 9-point unanswered run would extend the Hardrocker lead to 23-7, before closing the set and the match out 25-10.

Match 2: Montana State University – Billings

The second match of the day between the Hardrockers and MSU Billing was much more competitive.

The first set started with the two teams trading points until another big run from South Dakota Mines. A 9 point run which included four aces from Metzger, gave the Hardrockers a 13-6 lead. MSU Billings would fight back, cutting the deficit to 18-16. The two teams would go back and forth until a three-point run closed the set in the favor of the Hardrockers 25-23.

The second set was a battle, with both teams trading points throughout. First, MSU Billings got to an 8-4 lead, then the Hardrockers battled back to tie it at 8. Following that, the Hardrockers would keep the momentum going, grabbing a 15-13 lead, before four straight points from MSU Billings caused another lead change. South Dakota Mines would tie it once again at 21. MSU Billing would score 3 of the next four points to get to the set point. South Dakota Mines would battle back to win the set 26-24.

The third set did not start as strongly for South Dakota Mines with MSU Billing getting to an early 5-2 lead before South Dakota mines would battle back, tying it at 7. MSU Billings would bounce right back, however grabbing leads of 11-7, then 14-9, and 17-11. Three points from South Dakota Mines would cut the deficit to 17-14. MSU Billings scored 8 of the next 10 points to close out the set.

In the fourth set, the teams traded points early, tying the game at 9. The Hardrockers finally earned some separation, scoring 6 straight points to take an 18-14 lead. The Hardrockers would score four unanswered shortly after, taking a 22-15 lead. The Hardrockers would close out the set, match, and tournament with a 25-20 win.