BILLINGS, Mont. – Coming off a pair of five-set victories to open their home slate, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team is preparing to hit the road again, this time traveling to the state of Alaska to challenge the two Universities of Alaska in Fairbanks and Anchorage on Thursday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 1.

MSUB picked up the two five-set wins last week inside the friendly confines of Alterowitz Gymnasium under new lights and with the home crowds enjoying new seats to watch the Yellowjackets down Saint Martin's 3-2 on Thursday before claiming a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Western Oregon on Saturday.

 

In the match against the Saints of SMU, Morgan Moss corralled in 40 digs, equaling a program second-best for most digs in a single match.

 

Against WOU, the Yellowjackets overcame a 2-1 deficit heading into the fourth set to defeat the Wolves and move to an even 2-2 in league action. Freshman middle-blocker Monica Grimsrud registered a Great Northwest Athletic Conference season-high 26 kills (.400 hitting percentage) in the win including the match point leading to 43 total kills between last week's two matches.

 

Grimsrud has emerged as a power hitter for MSUB so far this season as she has recorded a team-high 178 kills, averaging 3.42 kills per set. She has also recorded 29 total blocks, including a team-best seven solo.

 

Melissa Porter and Krista Norris have both also eclipsed the 100-kill mark as Porter has 107 and Norris 109 terminations respectively this season. Porter also has recorded a team-best 42 total blocks already this season.

 

Senior setter Brooke Tolman has extended her streak of double-doubles to eight-straight matches where she has recorded double-digit assists and digs. She currently has 517 assists and 18 service aces this season.

 

As a team, MSUB has controlled the net, recording 102 total blacks compared to 84 by their opposition and are committing fewer errors than their opponents (308-324). The Yellowjackets are currently hitting .161 and holding opponents to .169.

 

UAF finally broke through with their first win of the season over Simon Fraser on Saturday, Sept. 24. They are currently 1-12 overall and 1-4 in GNAC play.

 

UAA is currently 8-5 overall and 4-1 in the league including a big 3-1 win over then 25^th-ranked Western Washington on Saturday.

 

After the two road matches, the Yellowjackets will return home for four straight home matches beginning with an Oct. 6 GNAC contest against Western Washington and ending with their annual Dig Pink Night on Saturday, Oct. 15 against Northwest Nazarene. In between those two matches the Clan of Simon Fraser and the Wildcats of Western Washington will travel to Billings for GNAC matches on Saturday, Oct. 8 and Thursday, Oct. 13 respectively.