PHOENIX -- Low hitting percentages doomed the Montana State University Billings women's volleyball team as the Yellowjackets suffered their first loss of the year after being swept (25-22, 25-20, 25-22) by Grand Canyon University Thursday evening to kick off the Grand Canyon Invitational.

 

With the loss the Yellowjackets fall to 4-1 on the year, while the Antelopes improved to 2-2 on the season.

 

“We just really got off to a slow start in every set tonight,” said head coach Steve Smith. “We really didn't start playing well until the last set and we saw glimpses of last week's performance, but it was too late. We had problems transitioning from our offense to our defense and just had mental lapses. Now we have to rebound tomorrow and come out fast and ready to play.”

 

Sophomore Taylor Adams hit .556 with five kills in nine attempts and no errors. Monica Grimsrud led the Jackets with 11 kills in 31 attempts but had eight errors. Brooke Tolman recorded 27 assists, while Morgan Moss led the way in digs with 15.

 

The Yellowjackets were out hit in the match by the Antelopes .124 to .117. The Jackets had 33 kills, 45 digs and eight total blocks. Senior Melissa Porter led the way in blocks with five block assists.

 

Trailing 8-3 in the first set, MSUB went on a 7-1 run to take a 10-9 lead on a GCU attacking error. The Jackets held a 22-21 advantage late in the set when Grimsrud registered a kill, but a kill by the Antelopes and three errors by MSUB gave GCU the first set.

 

Set two saw the Yellowjackets have the set at 17-17, but more errors doomed the Jackets as GCU stretched the lead out to 23-20. Back-to-back kills by the Antelopes and another error for MSUB gave GCU the 25-20 win in set two.

 

Although the Yellowjackets out hit GCU .250 to .182 in the final set, errors again allowed GCU to stay in the set. Leading 6-3, MSUB saw GCU score seven straight points to take a 10-6 lead. Another 5-0 run would allow GCU to have breathing room at the end of set and complete the sweep.

 

The Yellowjackets will now look to rebound tomorrow morning with an 11 a.m. match against Notre Dame de Namur and an evening match at 5 p.m. against Hawaii Pacific.