BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings volleyball dropped a 3-0 decision (25-15, 25-12, 25-12) to No. 14 Seattle Pacific Saturday evening in Alterowitz Gymnasium.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets end their season with a 5-23 record overall, and a 5-13 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  SPU improved to 24-2 and 16-2 in conference play.

“It was a disappointing way to finish the season,” MSUB head coach Steve Smith said.  “Seattle Pacific is a quality team and I wish them well in the playoffs.  We came out flat and we couldn't get a lot of energy going.  We certainly are going to miss Jen (Boe).  She has brought a lot to our program over my two years here.  She is a quality player and a good person.  She will be tough to replace, and I wish her the best in the future.”

Prior to the match, the Yellowjackets honored their lone senior, Jennifer Boe with a plaque and flowers.  Boe became the fourth Yellowjacket to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs this season, and ends her career with 1177 career kills and 1174 career digs.  She ranks fifth in school history in each area.

The Jackets were led by nine kills and 10 digs from Boe.  Junior Brooke Tolman tallied 19 assists and freshman Nicole Davey had eight digs.  MSUB hit .129 for the match with 25 kills and 14 errors.  The Jackets had 24 assists and 30 digs.

SPU was led by Paige Hoffman to had 11 kills, while teammate Nikki Lowell added 10 kills.  Shelby Swanson had 34 of 36 assists and Anna Herold had 19 digs.  The Falcons hit .423 for the match with 40 kills and just seven errors.  They had 36 assists and 39 digs.

Both teams hit the ball well in the opening set, combining for 22 kills and five errors.  SPU hit .500 to open the match, while the Jackets hit .273. 

MSUB took an early 4-2 lead, but an 8-1 run by the Falcons put SPU in control of the set.  The Falcons swelled the lead to 19-13 before a Yellowjacket timeout.  Out of the timeout, SPU rattled off the next three points for a 22-13 lead and settled for a 25-15 win.

SPU raced out to an 11-2 lead in the second set and cruised for a 25-12 win.  MSUB hit -.065 in the second set with just five kills and seven miscues. 

In the third set, the Falcons hit a match-high .448 with 15 kills and two errors.  Again the Falcons jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.  SPU built a 10-4 advantage and swelled the lead to 20-8 as it scored 20 of the first 28 points.