Billings, Mont. --- The South Dakota Mines Hardrocker volleyball team finished up day two of the Yellowjacket Invite at Montana State University Billings on Saturday. In the first match, the Hardrockers came ready to play defeating the University of Mary Marauders 3-1. In the second match, the host school Montana State University Billings defeated the Hardrockers 3-0.
MATCH 1
The Hardrockers and Marauders were tied 8-8 in the first set until Kiley Metzger served back-to-back aces for a 10-8 lead. The Hardrockers rattled off five straight points to go up 13-8. The Marauders inched closer and ended up tying the set 22-22. The Hardrockers then scored three straight points to close the set out 25-22. Morgan Daugherty had six kills in the set for the Hardrockers.
The Hardrockers kept the momentum going in the second set pulling away from the Marauders 14-9. The Hardrockers ended up winning the second set 25-19. Jacey Koethe led the way in kills for the Hardrockers with five in the second set.
In the third set, the Marauders grabbed an early 4-0 lead, but the Hardrockers fought back to tie the game 16-16. The Marauders then scored 9 points to win the set 25-16.
The fourth set saw the Hardrockers dominate the Marauders early and never looked back winning the fourth set 25-14 to win the match 3 game to one. Koethe once again had a great set leading the Hardrockers with five kills.
Notes – Emma Grimm had a huge match with 11 kills and five aces. Koethe and Daugherty each finished the match with 10 kills each. Metzger had 18 assists, while Kassie Luce finished with 14. On the defensive side of the court, Anna Thomas was all over the floor with 26 digs.
MATCH 2
In the first set, the Hardrockers and Yellowjackets fought tooth and nail for every point. They traded leads early, but the Hardrockers could never quite get over the hump. The Yellowjackets took the first set 25-23. Daugherty had four kills in the first set. Hannah Benes was clutch on defense with six digs.
In the second set, the Hardrockers and Yellowjackets went back and forth, tied at 7-7. But then the Yellowjackets found their stride and pulled ahead of the Hardrockers 19-10. The Yellowjackets wound up winning the second set 25-18. Dejah Behrend led the way for the Hardrockers with eight kills. Metzger contributed with 12 assists.
In the third set, the Hardrockers held an early 3-1 lead, but the Yellowjackets scored six straight points to lead 7-3. MSUB increased their lead to 16-9 halfway through the set. The Yellowjackets were just too much in the third set as they won 25-13. The Yellowjackets swept the match 3-0.
Notes – Koethe paced the Hardrockers in the second match with 11 kills. Metzger added 15 assists. Benes ended the match with 12 digs.
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
