BILLINGS, Mont. – In a late night battle with the University of Alaska Anchorage (19-10, 14-6 Great Northwest Athletic Conference), the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (9-20, 5-14 GNAC) the Seawolves with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23) victory in Anchorage.
 
"I am unbelievably proud of our effort tonight," head coach Casey Williams remarked after the win. "We played with a lot of composure against a very competitive team. We were able to execute our game plan and worked very hard to get this win."
 
Izela Alvarez led the 'Jackets with 27 digs in the match on her way to breaking the MSUB record for most digs in a single season. Alvarez now has 590 digs this year shattering the previous mark of 577 held by Erin Compton.
 
"Zel (Alvarez) really earned this record," Williams said of the accomplishment. "She has been such a solid defender for us this season. I am very excited about her future here at MSUB."
 
It was a determined effort that led to the 'Jacket's first win over Anchorage since 2009. MSUB hit .203 on the night with the help of Maddi Vigil, Hali Ehresmann, Jordan Mix and Bayli Monck all reaching double-figures in kills. Mina Duong picked up a season-best 20 digs in the match while Taylor Sherman added 11 more for the back row. Kylee Clarke delivered her ninth 30-plus assist match of the season as she set up 43 kills for the 'Jackets in the win.
 
Vigil was the top offensive threat with 15 kills on the night and Mix led was efficient with 11 kills and a .256 hitting percentage. Ehresmann had six of her 13 kills in the final set and finished the night with a .310 hitting percentage. Alvarez recorded her second kill of the season in the midst of her record breaking performance.
 
The Yellowjackets came out firing in the fourth set as they built a 12-6 lead with the help of their .383 hitting percentage. Kills from Monck, Vigil and Miranda McConnell set the tone early as Clarke distributed the ball to a host of MSUB attackers.    
 
Anchorage responded after a timeout and tied the set back up at 13-13. The set continued to be a neck-and-neck battle with four more ties before the Seawolves found themselves with a 23-22 lead. Back-to-back kills by Ehresmann gave the 'Jackets a 24-23 advantage before Vigil sealed the upset with her final kill of the night.
 
Clarke had an impressive 18 assists in the final set as every MSUB attacker recorded multiple kills and hit above .200. It was the first time this season that the 'Jackets had won the fourth set of any match.
 
Neither team gave their opponent much room for error as they played tight through the match. The largest lead of the night was six points, Anchorage used the cushion to take the first set while the 'Jackets matched the six point advantage in the fourth and final set.
 
The second set featured 14 ties and five lead changes as the Yellowjackets fought to even the match at one set a piece. MSUB finally took control of the set with just five points remaining after two kills from Vigil and one from Monck secured a 23-20 lead. Clarke recorded one of her three kills on the night to give the 'Jackets the 25-21 win.
 
With the match knotted 1-1 UAA took an early lead in the third set before the 'Jackets rallied to take a 15-12 lead that they wouldn't give up. Mix, Monck and Ehresmann all recorded four kills in the set while Vigil added two. Alvarez recorded one of her two aces on the night in the third set while adding five digs.
 
The Yellowjackets will continue play in Alaska on Saturday at 2 p.m. Alaska time when they visit the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. MSUB defeated the Nanooks in their conference opener 3-2 in Billings. You can follow Saturday's contest via MSUB's Stretch Internet portal.