BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University-Billings ended St. Mary’s University’s run at the Heartland Conference Volleyball Tournament with a 30-20, 30-16, 30-23, win Saturday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

St. Mary’s only led three times, all coming early in game two, as MSUB won the HC Tournament title, to go with its regular season championship. After rallying from two games to none down against Dallas Baptist University to win their semifinal match, there was no miracle on Saturday.

Samantha Weber (Ft. Lupton, Colo.) led the Rattlers with 12 kills against just five attack errors. She also had four blocks. However, she was the only Rattler with more than six kills and as a team St. Mary’s posted just 32 kills and committed 23 attack errors. Valerie Teter (So., San Antonio) had 13 digs to lead the defense.

Four Yellowjackets reached double figures in kills, led by Jessica Lechner with 13. Alicia Cazemier had 12, Ali Watson had 11 and Jessica Bratton had 10. Taylor Faught led all players with 16 digs. As a team the Yellowjackets hit .281 with 51 kills.

With the loss the Rattlers finished the 2006 season with a 19-16 record. Montana State-Billings earns the Heartland Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Championships. They are now 25-4 overall this season.

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