ANCHORAGE, Alaska. – The University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves turned up their offensive intensity in the fourth set and put away Montana State University Billings 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 25-10) in volleyball Saturday night at Alaska Airlines Center in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
Eve Stephens had 22 kills (one short of a career high) and hit .405 for UAA and the Seawolves peppered 12 aces against the Yellowjackets, including five from Vanessa Hayes.
 
The 'Jackets played well through the first three sets but were unable to match Anchorage in offensive efficiency late. The Seawolves ended the match on an 8-1 run to improve to 3-2 at home and hit .609 in the fourth set. MSU Billings (4-9, 2-2 GNAC) received a strong effort from right side hitter Skylar Reed, who had 13 kills and hit .379. On defense, Marissa Logozzo made 13 digs and had three service aces.
 
"I thought we worked hard through three sets but struggled to be consistent," said head coach Casey Williams. "I'm looking forward to getting back to Billings next week for matches against Western Washington and Simon Fraser."
 
Alaska Anchorage (8-4, 3-1 GNAC) bounced back Saturday after falling to rival Alaska Fairbanks 3-1 Tuesday night.
 
After winning three straight matches in the magic city last week, the Yellowjackets were defeated by Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage over the weekend. MSUB returns to Alterowitz Gymnasium Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m. to take on No. 2 Western Washington University for homecoming, followed by Simon Fraser University Saturday, October 5 at 2 p.m.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: The Yellowjackets hit .357 in the second set with 13 kills and .231 in the match, their highest percentage in a loss this season. The Seawolves countered with a .320 hitting percentage overall, including .609 in the fourth set and .364 in the third. UAA's Hannah Pembroke and Vera Pluharova hit career highs in kills with 11 and 10 respectively.
 
Both teams struggled with service mistakes. MSUB made seven service errors while UAA had 12. Talia Leauanae made 10 digs, as did MSUB's Bayli Monck.
 
THE BUZZ: Eavan Taylor was chosen St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game for the Yellowjackets with five kills and a pair of block assists…MSUB has lost each of its last three matches against the Seawolves…UAA is tied for third place in the GNAC standings, one game shy of undefeated Western Washington University and University of Alaska Fairbanks…The Yellowjackets fell into a three-way tie for fifth place with Simon Fraser University and Concordia University.