August 31, 2007

Jacket VB Takes Two at Oredigger Classic
MSUB/Mines box score
MSUB/Mesa box score
MSUB Season Statistics

GOLDEN, Colo. – The Montana State Billings volleyball team won back-to-back matches on Friday at the Days Inn-Denver West Oredigger Classic.  The Yellowjackets held off Colorado School of Mines 3-2 before defeating Mesa State 3-1.  The Yellowjackets, who earned splits on both days last week at a tournament in Nebraska, improved to 4-2.

Devon Crotteau

In the afternoon session, the host Orediggers gave the Jackets all they could handle as CSM sought its first win of the year.  The Yellowjackets were never down a game in the match, and even though they were out-hit .148 to .087, they won 30-27, 19-30, 30-27, 28-30, 15-12. 

Alicia Cazemier (Vauxhall, Alberta) and Devon Crotteau (Casper, Wyo.) were the Jackets’ offensive leaders in the season’s first weekend, and that continued against the Orediggers.  Both knocked down 19 kills with Cazemier hitting .212 and Crotteau .149.  Crotteau also led the team with 16 digs and eight service aces.  Her service played a big part in helping the Jackets overcome a cold hitting match.

Setter Stefania Aladjova (Sofia, Bulgaria) handed out 40 assists.  Jennifer Boe (Casper, Wyo.) added eight kills and four aces.  The Orediggers were paced by Kaity Edmiston’s 18 kills and five aces.

In the late match, the Yellowjackets downed Mesa State (3-3) 32-30, 30-20, 22-30, 30-28.  Cazemier and Crotteau were again the driving forces with 18 and 17 kills respectively.  Crotteau hit .271 and also had 18 digs.  Cazemier hit .269.

Katrina Solomon (Billings) had a career high 23 digs, and Nicole Kruse (Huntley) picked up 22.  Boe finished with 10 kills and 11 digs.

“We really came together as a team,” Yellowjacket head coach Sara Schaub said after the Mesa State match.  “We started blocking and playing better defense.  The big thing was how we played as a team in the second match against Mesa.  In the first game, Devon’s serves really pulled us through.”

The Yellowjackets conclude the main portion of their non-conference schedule on Saturday with two matches at the Oredigger Classic.  They will face Western State at 11 a.m. and Western New Mexico at 3:30 p.m.  MSUB opens the Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule on Sept. 6 at Northwest Nazarene.  The Jackets’ home opener will be against Saint Martin’s on Sept. 13.

Click HERE for the tournament webpage