BILLINGS, MT – Saturday marked the 11th Great Northwest Athletic Conference win for the No. 8 Western Washington Vikings (17-3, 11-1 GNAC) as they took a 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-10) win over the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (6-15, 2-9 GNAC) in Billings.
The 'Jackets struggled against a stout Western Washington defense as MSUB failed to reach a hitting percentage above .100 in any set. The Viking hit above .200 in every set and capped off their win with a .433 hitting percentage in the final game. The Viking's defense collected 10 blocks against the MSUB attack.
Maddi Vigil had eight kills in the game to lead the
MSUB attack followed by
Bayli Monck's seven.
Izela Alvarez tallied 17 digs on the night with Vigil contributing 15 with her defensive efforts. The 'Jackets recorded two blocks in the game which were both shared by
Miranda McConnell and Vigil.
Alexa Smythe had 14 assists in the match as fellow setter
Kylee Clarke tallied 6 in the third set.
The 'Jackets were led by Vigil's four kills in an exciting first set that saw five lead changes and 10 ties. Monck, Smythe and
Jordan Mix each pitched in two kills during the set while Alvarez's amazing effort on defense netted 11 digs.
Miranda McConnell teamed up with Vigil for a big block in the opening frame and the junior added one kill. MSUB held their final lead of the night with the score at 17-16 in the first frame before the Vikings took control of the night.
The Vikings showed their class in the second set pulling ahead 7-2 early and never allowing the 'Jackets to gain a lead. The 'Jackets rallied to the game at 8-8 befor WWU would string together a 10-1 run to build a commanding lead. The MSUB offense faced five blocks from WWU as Vigil continued to lead the way with three kills in the set. Alvarez was held to four digs and McConnell and Vigil tallied another block for the Yellowjacket defense.
The third set was dominated by WWU as the 'Jackets found themselves in a 12-0 hole to start the final set. MSUB tried to rally late but the lead was too great to overcome as the No. 8 Vikings put the match away.
UP NEXT: MSUB will host Pink Night on Tuesday as the 'Jackets welcome crosstown foe Rocky Mountain College to Alterowitz Gym at 7 p.m. The Battlin' Bears won the first meeting of the season 3-0 at the Fortin Center. All fans wearing pink will be given free entry to the match as the Yellowjackets and St. Vincent Healthcare support the fight against cancer.
