BILLINGS, Mont. – Early momentum for the visiting University of Alaska volleyball team never wavered on Saturday afternoon at Alterowitz Gym, as host Montana State University Billings was defeated in straight sets 18-25, 19-25, 23-25 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
 
Three different Nanooks had eight kills, on an afternoon where they benefitted from an efficient attack that swung at a collective .254 in the match. Ainsley Smith had 18 assists and Taylor Overn added 16, while Jessa Long had 14 digs to lead the visitors statistically. Alaska improved to 12-4 on the season and pulled its GNAC record even at 2-2.
 
Freshman Caty Havekost paced the MSUB offense with 10 kills, reaching her second-highest total of the 2022 season on her way to a .296 hitting percentage. MSUB managed a team attack percentage of just .097 however, and played from behind throughout the match. Christine Funk was a difference maker defensively for MSUB, leading the way with 11 kills to help keep her team in the match throughout. The Yellowjackets fell to 6-5 with the loss, and are 0-4 in GNAC play with their fourth straight conference defeat.
 
A kill by Olivia Schwartz made the score 5-4 in the opening set, but the Nanooks embarked on an 8-0 run that proved to be the difference as they pulled ahead 13-4.
 
Hannah Hayden and Emma Burlingame teamed up for a loud block, helping the Yellowjackets gain some momentum down 16-8. An ensuing service ace pushed the Nanooks to take a timeout, as MSUB continued to chip away. The early deficit proved too large to overcome however, as the visitors managed to close out the first set 25-18.
 
The Yellowjackets got off to a better start in the second set, and kept the score close trailing 10-8 early on. After a 6-0 run by the Nanooks, the Yellowjackets responded by taking eight of the next 11 points to close the gap to just 19-16. Havekost provided the 'Jackets with a spark late in the second set, with back-to-back kills to keep MSUB alive. The Nanooks finished strong however, taking the second frame 25-19 on a kill by Elizabeth Jackson.
 
Rilee White and Kristina Head elevated for a combo block that helped set the tone in the third set, as the Nanooks gained an early advantage up 8-5. The theme continued into the middle of the set, with Ella Bines and Head spurring the Nanooks' momentum with another loud block to make the score 16-12. The 'Jackets saved their best push for last, winning 4 of 5 points to turn a 23-19 deficit into a 24-23 score, but the Nanooks avoided extra points as an MSUB attack error ended the match.
 
Lily Gentz had the first kill of the match on her way to seven kills on 13 attempts, and Jahsita Fa'ali'i finished second on the team with nine kills on the afternoon. Hannah Hashbarger finished with 18 assists and six digs, and Hailey Carroll came off the bench to provide seven digs and five assists.
 
White paced the Nanooks with nine kills, while Elena Guc, Jackson, and Bines each finished the match with eight.
 
THE BUZZ: Funk was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB is now 29-34 all-time against Alaska and is 21-15 in home matches against the Nanooks.
 
COMING UP: The Yellowjackets hit the road next week, for conference matches at Central Washington next Thursday and at Northwest Nazarene next Saturday. Live coverage for next week's games can be found online here.