Box Score Box Score

Billings, Mont. – After losing to a highly talented and nationally ranked Western Washington, the Yellowjackets fiercely bounced back in their Saturday night match against Simon Fraser. Head coach Lisa Axel had the team focused entering the match and the Yellowjackets defeated the Clan in straight sets 25-10, 25-17, 25-22.
 
The Yellowjackets came out and dominated the first two sets. Unlike previous matches where they would start fast and give the opposition a chance to come back into the game; MSUB started fast and finished strong. Once the Yellowjackets took the early 2-1 lead in the first, they never looked back. Midway through the set as the score stood at 10-7, the Jackets hit another gear and went on a 15-3 run to close the first set. Jody Lutz, Julianna Evola and Taylor Adams had several quality terminations in the set.
 
MSUB jumped to an early lead in the second set also. Simon Fraser played better in this set and did not let the Jackets explode offensively like in the previous set. The turning point of the set came when the score was 15-10, and the Yellowjackets went on a 5-2 run to firmly control the set 20-12. The Clan made a great effort to get back into the set but MSUB was countered with tight defense and efficient offense to win the second set 25-17.
 
Down 2-0 in sets and facing elimination, Simon Fraser came out aggressive in the third and held an early 8-1 advantage. Two Adams' kills and an Evola kill helped spark the Jacket offense to effectively get back into the set. Battling back to tie the score in the third at 13-13, the Jackets and Clan dueled back and forth in the late possessions without giving the other a clear advantage.
 
The Yellowjackets would prove to be too strong in the end and after the score was at a 20-20 dead lock, MSUB closed out the set with a 5-2 run, completing the sweep.
 
Lutz had a match high 11 kills, Kyndal Williams led all setters in assists with 31, and Erin Compton had a match high 13 digs. Morgan Moss was second in digs with 11.
 
“We came out strong tonight and played with great energy the first two sets,” Axel said. “We let up at the beginning of the third set but battled our way back to win the match. It's great to get our first conference win of the season, and we are looking forward to playing at home the next two weeks.”
 
MSUB will face Seattle Pacific University in their next GNAC contest. The game will be The Yellowjackets first home game of the season. Game time starts at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22.