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Billings, Mont. – As if playing your first conference game on the road wasn't a challenge in itself, the Montana State Billings had to do so against a nationally ranked opponent. Facing Western Washington University who holds the No. 14 spot in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II national poll, the Yellowjackets fell in straight sets 25-16, 25-20, 25-10.
 
The first and second sets had a similar theme; MSUB held their own against their highly ranked opponent but the experience of the Vikings helped them pull out both sets in the later exchanges. During the first set MSUB scored the first two points on an attack error and service ace by Jody Lutz.
 
Western Washington countered and the score was 15-12 midway through the set. Following this the Yellowjackets hitters found a few holes in the defense, but it would not prove to be enough as the Vikings took set one 25-16.
 
MSUB played extremely well in the second and led 15-12 halfway through the set. Fighting back efficiently, Western Washington brought the game to a 20-20 tie late in the second. After dead locking the set, the Vikings hit another gear and closed out the set 25-20, giving them a 2-0 set advantage.
 
Western Washington controlled the third set from opening serve and did not give the Jackets a chance to get back in the match. After an 11-2 start, the Vikings went ahead to capture the third set 25-10 and win the match.
 
“We played well the first two sets and just let up in the third,” stated head coach Lisa Axel. “Western Washington is a very good team and we had a hard time putting the ball away. I thought our defense kept us in the match. We made some amazing saves tonight. Erin had a great match making some unbelievable digs.”
 
Monica Grimsrud and Erin Compton had match highs in kills and digs. Grimsrud finished with 12 kills and Compton had 20 digs on the day.
 
The Yellowjackets now have an overall record of 3-6 and a GNAC record of 0-1. Their next conference match will be against Simon Fraser on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).