BILLINGS, Mont. – Opening conference play north of the border, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team was handed a 3-0 (23-25, 13-25, 20-25) defeat at the hands of Simon Fraser University.
 
After managing to keep it close in the opening set, the Red Leafs (4-6, 1-0 GNAC) were able to take control of the game, managing to take sets two and three in a more comfortable manner to complete a sweep of the Yellowjackets (6-2, 0-1 GNAC).
 
Set one was full of shifts in momentum and lead changes as the two teams battled back and forth. Simon Fraser would be forced to call a timeout after the 'Jackets would rally from three points down to tie the game at 23-23. Coming out of that timeout though, the Red Leafs would respond positively by scoring the final two points of the set on a powerful spike from Jocelyn Sherman, and a block on a hit by Jahsita Fa'ali'i Jahsita.
 
After starting similarly to the first set, set two would reach a crucial turning point. With the score at 9-8 in favor of the hosts, Simon Fraser would go on to score 16 of the next 21 points to run away from MSUB and earn a commanding win in the set. That momentum would carry over into set three, where despite keeping it close, the 'Jackets were unable to extend the game after a kill by Brooke Dexter would finish off the game.
 
Jocelyn Sherman led the way for the Red Leafs with 13 kills. Serena Gentile set up teammates all night with 38 assists, while Ava Khademi led Simon Fraser in both aces (3) and digs (11).
 
For the Yellowjackets, Caty Havekost had nine kills to lead the team. Hannah Hashbarger had 18 assists to go along with one ace. Paiten Langston paced the team with three blocks.
 
THE BUZZ: Havekost was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game after leading all Yellowjackets in points with 10.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets will play Saturday on the road as they go to Bellingham to face off against the #11 Western Washington University Vikings to conclude their opening weekend of conference play.