Box Score
BILLINGS, Mont. – The No. 11 Western Washington University volleyball team proved its ranking Thursday night in its Great Northwest Athletic Conference season-opener with a three-set sweep over host Montana State University Billings, 25-14, 25-18, and 25-18.
The Vikings (8-1, 1-0 GNAC) began the defense of their conference crown in dominating fashion. WWU surrendered the lead only once, 1-0 to open the second set, and the match featured three ties. Western Washington finished the night with a .236 attack percentage, and held MSUB to .131.
For the first time this season, Montana State Billings suffered a loss when finishing with more kills (38-35) and more assists (38-36). The Yellowjackets had 10 service errors and no service aces.
Jennica McPherson finished with three of Western Washington's four service aces. Rachel Roeder finished with a match-high 12 kills, and Kayla Erickson had 10. Taylor Dillard led WWU with 28 assists. Samantha Hutchinson, the GNAC leader in digs, had a match-high 24 digs. She entered averaging 6.5 digs per set.
Montana State Billings' (2-9, 0-3)
Monica Grimsrud and
Kyndal Williams both finished with double-doubles. Grimsrud had 11 terminations and 12 digs, while Williams ended with 32 assists and 10 digs.
Sydney Oberstein had a team-high 15 digs.
Mikara Ostermiller and
Ashlynn Ward were both in on three blocks.
The Yellowjackets welcome Simon Fraser (5-2, 0-1) Saturday night at 7. The Clan fell in their conference-opener at Seattle Pacific in four sets Thursday. The MSUB and Simon Fraser match will have live video and stats on MSUBSports.com.
Western Washington def. MSU Billings 25-14,25-18,25-18
Western Washington (8-1, 1-0 GNAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Roeder,Rachel 12-0-0; Erickson,Kayla 10-0-2; Boerger,Emily 4-1-2;
McPherson,Jennica 4-3-3; Cotter,Emily 3-0-0; Dillard,Taylor 2-0-1;
Totals 35-4-4.0. (Assists) - Dillard,Taylor 28. (Dig leaders) -
Hutchinson,Samantha 24; McPherson,Jennica 9
MSU Billings (2-9, 0-3 GNAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Grimsrud,Monica 11-0-2; Walter,Chelsey 9-0-1; Siemion,Stormy 8-0-0;
Ward,Ashlynn 4-0-3; Ostermiller,Mikara 3-0-3; Williams,Kyndal 1-0-0;
Findon,Kierney 1-0-0; Evola,Julianna 1-0-0; Totals 38-0-5.0. (Assists)
- Williams,Kyndal 32. (Dig leaders) - Oberstein,Sydney 15;
Grimsrud,Monica 12; Williams,Kyndal 10; Siemion,Stormy 8
Site: Billings, MT (Alterowitz Gym)
Date: Sep 26, 2013 Attend: 472 Time: 1:18
Referees: Ric Lomibao, John Bryant
