Boxscore

NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State University Billings volleyball team struggled to get their offense going Thursday night as they opened their Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule with a four-set, 1-3 road loss to Northwest Nazarene University.

The Yellowjackets were able to claim a close 26-24 first set to take the early lead, but struggles with both their serve receive and offense cause the Yellowjackets to drop the last three sets to the Crusaders 25-23, 25-17 and 25-19.

After the loss, MSUB moves to 6-4 overall with a 0-1 start to their GNAC slate while NNU improves to one game over .500 at 4-3 and are now 2-1 in league play.

“We did not bring our 'A-Game' tonight,” said head coach Steve Smith shortly after the match. “We did not play particularly well and we under-performed. It was a disappointing loss but we've got to move on to the next match which is Central (Washington) at their place and I think that is a tougher opponent in a tougher environment and we'll just try to be up for that one.”

The Yellowjackets were led in kills by sophomore outside-hitter Taylor Adams who recorded seven kills in 22 total attacks for a .227 hitting percentage. Moinca Grumsrud and Melissa Porter were right behind Adams as they each tallied five kills across the four sets.

Senior setter Brooke Tolman turned out another stout performance recording a double-double with 36 assists and 26 digs in the match in her attempt to help lift the Yellowjackets. She also led all attackers with a .333 hitting percentage as three of her nine attacks hit the floor for points.

NNU's Kaitlyn Tuholski recorded a triple-double in the contest as she tallied 12 kills, 24 assists and 12 digs to lead the Crusaders in the match.

MSUB will remain on the road for another conference game before returning home. The Yellowjackets will now travel to Ellensburg, Wash. where they will look to take on the Wildcats of Central Washington University in a 7 p.m. match on Saturday, Sept. 17.