BILLINGS, Mont. – After a challenging four-match road trip, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team will be back at Alterowitz Gymnasium this week to host a pair of opponents in Billings.
 
First, Northwest Nazarene (4-12, 4-5 GNAC) comes to town on Thursday, October 4 at 7 p.m. Then the team plays Central Washington (14-2, 8-1 GNAC) on Saturday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Live video and live statistics will be available online through the MSUB Stretch Internet portal here. The Yellowjackets need wins after a tough stretch to get themselves back into the playoff conversation in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. There will be opportunities with twelve GNAC opponents remaining on the schedule.
 
RECENT ROAD TRIP: Montana State Billings (7-10, 1-7 GNAC) picked up their first conference win on September 22 on the road against Saint Martin's in five sets, but came up short last weekend against Simon Fraser (3-0) and No. 7 Western Washington (3-0) who have been perennial powers over the last several years.
 
Service aces have been a strength of the team in 2018 and MSU Billings currently leads the conference with 110 total aces and 1.67 aces per set. Libero Izela Alvarez has been the biggest contributor in the category for MSUB. The sophomore has 23 service aces and is averaging 0.35 aces per set, which ranks her No. 9 in the GNAC. Bayli Monck is not far behind with 22 service aces (12^th).
 
MSUB will want to improve in their kill efficiency as they currently rank 10^th in kills per set (11.32) and sixth in hitting percentage (.166). Miranda McConnell continues to lead the team in individual hitting percentage. She ranks third on the team in total kills and is hitting .284.
 
The player with the most kills is Maddi Vigil at 172. Vigil is one of three players to start all 17 matches for the 'Jackets and continues to be an important factor in the success of the team both offensively and defensively. Vigil has 204 digs (2^nd), two solo blocks, and 25 block assists on the year.
 
Scouting the Nighthawks (4-12, 4-5 GNAC)
Game Day: Thursday, October 4 – 7 p.m.
2017 Record: 25-5, 16-4 GNAC, 14-0 home, 7-4 away
Head Coach: Doug English (6^th season)
 
The Yellowjackets will be looking to get their first win over Northwest Nazarene since 2012. The Nighthawks had an uncharacteristically slow start to their 2018 campaign but have recently started to heat up, with wins in three of their last four GNAC matchups. Last weekend, NNU defeated Saint Martin's in straight sets and Seattle Pacific in five sets at home. The Nighthawks fell 3-0 to Central Washington on Tuesday night 25-20, 25-20, 25-20.
 
Northwest Nazarene features a mixture of new and old faces. The roster consists of three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and seven freshmen. Abby Blum leads the Nighthawks in kills with 172. Blum averages 3.30 kills per set which ranks fifth in the GNAC.
 
On defense, senior captain Shayli Siegfreid has 304 digs in 54 sets played, averaging 5.51 per set (3^rd in the GNAC). Despite a lack of non-conference success so far, the Nighthawks should not be underestimated. Last season, the team made the semifinals of the NCAA West Regional but fell to Western Washington 3-1. In addition, NNU posted 3-0 wins against Montana State Billings in both matchups a year ago.
 
KEYS TO THE MATCH: The Yellowjackets will want to come out swinging on Thursday as Northwest Nazarene ranks last in the GNAC in blocks per set (1.48). NNU makes up for their lack of front line blocking by digging out 17.98 balls per set (4^th) so MSUB may need to exercise patience during extended points. NNU is also fifth in hitting percentage (.167), last in service aces (1.00 per set), and seventh in kills (11.77 kills per set).
 
The team is led by head coach Doug English. English has been at the helm for three NCAA Division II National Tournament berths (last was 2017) and the Nighthawks are 107-31 overall in his tenure.
 
Scouting the Wildcats (14-2, 8-1 GNAC)
Game Day: Saturday, Saturday, October 6 – 7 p.m.
2017 Record: 19-10, 14-6 GNAC, 11-3 home, 6-5 away
Head Coach: Mario Andaya (23^rd season)
 
Central Washington rides into Billings with a six-match win streak on the line. The Wildcats have lost just one combined set in the last 10 days against opponents including Western Oregon University, Concordia University, Saint Martin's University, and Seattle Pacific University, and Northwest Nazarene.
 
A major reason for CWU's success has been the offensive production they have received from Shelby Mauritson. The junior outside hitter has 206 kills in the GNAC (413 overall) and averages 3.81 kills per set (2^nd GNAC). Mauritson was named All-GNAC first team last season and has already tied her kill total from 2017. Mauritson is also extremely effective defensively and is second on her team digs (418), averaging 3.63 digs per set (15^th GNAC).
 
Central Washington ranks first in the GNAC for kills (14.59 per set), second in hitting percentage (.234), second in blocks (2.86 per set), and ninth in service aces (1.26 per set). The CWU roster is made up of three seniors, five juniors, four sophomores, and nine freshmen. Head coach Mario Andaya has led the team to the NCAA Division II postseason for five consecutive years and is in his 23^rd season.
 
The Wildcats are one of three GNAC teams in the Division II top-10 in blocks, ranking eighth with 2.62 blocks per set. Central Washington continues to receive votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches poll but have remained just outside the top-25 teams.
 
The Yellowjackets are 4-21 all-time against the Wildcats and the teams have been playing one another since 1990. Central Washington has won the last the last eight meetings including the most recent on November 11, 2017 by a 3-0 score in Washington.
 
SMYTHE STEPS UP: Alexa Smythe has stepped into the primary setter role on the Yellowjackets since Kylee Clarke has been out of the lineup due to injury. Smythe has started ten matches and has 251 assists. Her 8.66 assists per set leads the team and she has also added 17 kills, 21 service aces, seven blocks, and 72 digs to her 2018 campaign.
 
MINUTE MUNCHERS: Six players have seen playing time in all 17 matches for the Yellowjackets. Of those, Vigil, Eavan Taylor, and McConnell are the only ones who have started all 17. Vigil, Taylor, McConnell, and Taylor Sherman have played at least part of all 66 sets this fall.
 
ACES HIGH: Three players have reached 20 or more service aces on the season for MSUB and they include Alvarez (23), Smythe (21), and Bayli Monck (21). Sherman (16) and Vigil (16) are beginning to make their move toward the 20 mark as well. Montana State Billings is tied with Sonoma State, Minnesota State, and Salem (West Virginia) for 44^th in NCAA Division II with 110 total service aces.
 
TEAM SNAPSHOT: MSUB has nine returning letter winners from last season and three roster newcomers. The team finished 9-21 (5-15 GNAC, 9^th) in 2017.
 
AROUND THE LEAGUE: Western Washington (13-3, 8-0 GNAC) continues to lead the GNAC Standings. Central Washington is second (8-1) followed by Alaska Anchorage (6-2), and Seattle Pacific (5-3). The NCAA Division II statistics certainly have a GNAC flavor when it comes to blocks and digs.
 
A traditionally strong conference at the net, six GNAC schools are ranked in the NCAA top-50 in the category. Western Washington leads the way, ranking fourth with 2.89 blocks per set. Alaska Anchorage is seventh with 2.64 blocks per set while Central Washington is ranked eighth at 2.62 per set. Additionally, eight different players are also in the top-50 for blocking. Reigning GNAC Offensive Player of the Week Kayleigh Harper of Western Washington leads the list, entering the week ranked second in Division II with 1.58 blocks per set.

JACKET HOMECOMING: Saturday's volleyball game will be integrated with MSUB homecoming celebrations and a student organization spirit competition will take place at intermission. A full list of homecoming festivities can be found at www.msubillings.edu/homecoming.