BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Volleyball team was defeated in straight sets 3-0 (17-25, 17-25, 15-25) by the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play Thursday night at Alterowitz Gym.
 
The Nighthawks (15-5, 8-4 GNAC) were on fire all night, finishing the game with a .356 hitting percentage as they controlled the match for the majority of the game. Natalie Sullivan led the charge for NNU, with 15 kills, 14 digs, and a .500 hitting percentage, all team highs. Olivia Wright was right behind her with 13 kills. Mckenzie Lee had a team leading four blocks, as the NNU front made it difficult to score all night. Lee also led all players with 37 assists.
 
For the Yellowjackets (7-14, 0-12 GNAC), the team found stretches of success, but was not able to sustain that success over extended periods of the game. Jahsita Fa'ali'i had eight kills to lead the MSUB attack. Hannah Hayden had four blocks, Kennedy Juranek had nine digs, and in her season debut, Carlyn Whitney had five kills and a .500 hitting percentage to lead the 'Jackets.
 
Set one was decided by a truly dominant stretch of volleyball by Northwest Nazarene. With the Yellowjackets trailing 8-7 early, the Nighthawks turned up the pressure. They proceeded to score the next six points in the set, and despite stabilizing after a timeout, MSUB was never able to get back in it as the Nighthawks would finish strong to take the opening set 25-17.
 
Looking to respond in the next set, the Yellowjackets came out strong early, forcing the Nighthawks onto the defense early. But another big scoring run for the Nighthawks would put the 'Jackets down big again, and that lead would prove too much to overcome once again, as the Nighthawks would come out ahead with a score identical to set one.
 
Set three would be all Nighthawks from the start. An 11-2 run to open the set was all it took to put Northwest Nazarene firmly in control of the game. The Nighthawks sit third in the GNAC standings as teams head into the later portion of the season, while the 'Jackets are still looking for their first win in GNAC play.
 
THE BUZZ: Whitney was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… with their win tonight, Northwest Nazarene has swept the season series against the Yellowjackets, winning both matches.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB plays next at home this Saturday, October 22 at 1 p.m. against Central Washington University.