Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. - Rocky Volleyball capped off a dramatic Rimrock Rivalry matchup with a five-set victory over MSU Billings Tuesday evening. 

Despite Rocky dropping the first two sets, the competitive atmosphere of the Rimrock Rivalry matchup fueled the Battlin' Bears to a comeback effort to earn their first victory of the season. Freshman Olivia Fauth stood out for the Battlin' Bears, spiking a team-high 16 kills in the victory.

How It Happened

---

Both teams saw bouts of momentum throughout the first set, as a back-and-forth affair saw Rocky bring the first set to an 18-18 tie following a kill from Olivia Fauth. The Yellowjackets made a run when they needed it, responding to Fauth's kill with a 6-1 run, eventually securing a 25-21 set one victory.

The second set saw a similar run, as despite Kaitlyn Wood's kill late in the set to give Rocky a 21-20 lead, MSU Billings rattled off five straight points to win the second set 25-21. 

From then on, despite their backs against the wall, it was all Battlin' Bears to end the evening. Rocky compiled a .241 hitting percentage in the third set and took advantage of the Yellowjackets ' slip-ups, ending the set on a 10-4 run to win the third set 25-17.

Rocky's defensive presence showed its might in the fourth set, holding MSU Billings to a hitting percentage of -.026, denying almost every ball from falling in play. After MSU Billings took an early 8-6 lead, the Battlin' Bears piled their best rally of the season, totaling 12 consecutive points, featuring a pair of service aces from Zoey Albert and four kills from Josie West. Rocky rode their double-digit lead to a 25-17 fourth set win, capped off by back-to-back kills from Olivia Fauth. 

With both teams knotted up at two sets apiece, the intensity rose, and both teams rose to the occasion in the fifth and final set. While Rocky bumped out to an early set lead, the Yellowjackets scored four straight points to take a one-point edge 10-9. Sadie Meier and Feline Mulder would both tally kills to match MSUB's output, bringing the match to a 12-12 tie. Rocky's defense at the net would seal the come-from-behind victory, as Ella Kincaid and Feline Mulder combined for back-to-back blocks to secure a 15-12 fifth set win and the Rimrock Rivalry victory. 

Notable Statistics

---

Olivia Fauth led the way with 16 kills, the most by a Battlin' Bear in a single match this season. Kaitlyn Wood added 11, including a pair of blocks, while Josie West totaled nine kills. Meredith Marsh totaled 19 assists, while Lindsay Lawrence finished with 17 digs from her libero position. 

The victory marked a flurry of season-highs for the Battlin' Bears as a team,  including kills (49), hitting percentage (.184), assists (43), and points (62). 

MSU Billings was led by a game-high 20 kills from Allie Dorman. 

Up Next

---

Rocky Volleyball hits the road to continue the Frontier Conference schedule, traveling to Dickinson State and Bismarck State.