BILLINGS, MT - The University of Mary Volleyball team gave an exciting preview of what the 2023 season can hold in their season-opening doubleheader Friday afternoon. Many Marauders contributed to a 3-1 victory over Montana State University Billings and later a hard-fought defeat to Lubbock Christian University in the first of two days at the 2023 Yellowjacket Volleyball Invitational. 

FIRST MATCH
Kameron Selvig was instrumental in leading a well-balanced UMary attack that overwhelmed the host MSU Billings 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 25-20). The Marauders (1-1), led by seniors Nehkyah Ellis and Ally Gruber, combined for 54 kills as a team.

The Marauders bursted out of the gate for a fast start, taking the first set from the Yellowjackets 25-17. Nehkyah Ellis and Maddie Cooper combined for 10 kills behind Selvig's setting, who dished 13 assists in the first set alone. Alexandria Harper swung for the kill to clinch the early advantage. 

UMary battled in a closer affair early in the second set as Billings gained their first lead of the day at the 15-14 mark. The Marauders stayed within reach of just a few points until the Yellowjackets clinched the tying set on a kill from Paiten Langston. 

Billings would maintain a modest lead as the third set carried on, until the 20-15 mark when Mary fired back to even the score 23-23. Ally Gruber gave the Marauders the set in defiant comeback fashion, swinging for three kills in the closing four points for a 26-24 set victory. 

UMary kept the pressure on the Yellowjackets in set four, gaining an early lead and forcing a late MSU Billings timeout while ahead 19-15. After the Yellowjackets answered back to make the score 23-20, Reyna Isenbart gave the Marauders the match point before returning blocks-leader Maddie Cooper stuffed a Yellowjacket swing at the net for a solo block and the victory for the Marauders in their first match of the season. 

After narrowly getting swept in their 2022 matchup back at the Yellowjacket Invitational, the Marauders resilient efforts Friday afternoon gave them their second program victory over MSU Billings. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Kameron Selvig had a day in the season opener, pacing the Marauders well-rounded offensive attack with 44 assists, just 2 shy of her career record set on October 22, 2021. The Jamestown, ND native also led with 20 digs, 4 total blocks, and was responsible for 9 points of her own (3 kills, 3 aces). 

Nehkyah Ellis returned to form as the Marauders leading attacker, swinging for a team-high 14 kills. Ellis also added 13 digs. 

Ally Gruber became more dominant at the net as the match carried on, finishing with 13 kills in the match, 3 of which came in the final four points in the third set to put the Marauders back in front. Gruber also had 16 digs and an ace serve.

Maddie Cooper helped charge the Marauders fast start offensively with four kills in the first set. The junior from Fargo, ND finished the match with 8 kills, 5 total blocks, and an ace serve. 

Alexandria Harper was another strong presence in the middle, adding 8 kills and 2 blocks. 

SECOND MATCH
UMary battled hard against a historically solid Lubbock Christian, but ultimately fell to the Chaps 3-0 (21-25, 11-25, 21-25). 

The Marauders led early 12-10 before the Chaps pulled ahead for a modest lead through the middle portion of the opening frame. Led by four kills from Nehkyah Ellis, the Marauders clawed back to keep the score close but ultimately dropped the first set 21-25. 

Lubbock Christian gained momentum after trading off the first few points of the second set with UMary, running away with a 25-11 set victory and a 2-0 advantage over the Marauders. 

Ellis and Harper led a late charge at the net to keep the Marauders hopes alive late in the third set, but a kill by Kalli Dalland clinched the match in the third and final set 25-21. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Nehkyah Ellis once again led the Marauders offensively, swinging for 8 kills to finish with 22 total on opening day. The senior from Central Point, OR also corralled 7 digs and added an ace from the service line. 

Alexandria Harper had another solid game in the middle, adding 7 kills on a 0.286 hitting percentage and 2.5 total blocks. 

Maddie Cooper finished with 6 kills while Ally Gruber and Reyna Isenbart each added 5. 

Kaia Sueker finished with 15 digs. Chloe Lieser added 12 digs. 

Kameron Selvig finished with 22 assists. 

UP NEXT
UMary Volleyball will look for a strong finish at the Yellowjacket Invitational on Saturday as they prepare for another non-conference doubleheader. The Marauders will first play Southeastern Oklahoma State University at 9 am CST/8 am MT, and will later take on Black Hills State University at 5 pm CST/4 pm MT. 

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