BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team (3-18) faced off against the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks (12-13). TheGNAC matchup in Alterowitz gym was decided in four sets in favor of the Nanooks 3-1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-21).
 
It was the Nanooks that started out hot in the first set of the match, getting ahead to an early 8-2 lead behind and impressive .750 team hitting percentage. The 'Jackets slow to start found their stride having a 7-0 run of their own to notch the set up at 11 behind the serve of freshman Avarey Stuff. From that point it was a true back-and-forth battle until Stuff came into serve on her second rotation of the set. Behind Stuff, the 'Jackets went on a late 5-0 run to take the first set 25-22.
 
With a combination of momentum and Nanook errors the Yellowjackets were able to stay in it early in the second set. At this point in the match Anchorage had nine attacking errors and four service errors. Even with that the Nanooks were able to pull away to a 16-7 lead behind 10 kills at this point in the set. MSUB fell behind throughout the rest of the set and the deficit amounted too much to come back from, dropping the set 25-13 in favor of the Nanooks.
 
Again, in the third set the Yellowjackets were not able to get their offense going. The 'Jackets were hitting -.059 with six attacking errors, and two service errors in the set. A few notable performances up to this point in the match were Olivia Schwartz with eight kills, Paiten Langston with six kills and a block, and Emma Fa'alogo with 20 assists. MSUB did a better job battling back in this set bringing it withing five late in the match, but ultimately fell 25-17 to UAF in the third set of the match.
 
With their backs against the wall in the fourth set, the Yellowjackets did their best to get ahead to an early 4-3 lead by a pair of kills from Julia Gordon and Bailey Nichols. Halfway through the set it looked like MSUB had finally found the camaraderie they had from the first set bringing it within one point 17-16 in favor of the Nanooks. The 'Jackets were unable to take the lead as UAF pulled away to take the third set 25-21 and win the match 3-1.
 
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Olivia Schwartz – 10 kills
Bailey Nichols – 9 kills
Paiten Langston – 8 kills, 1.5 total blocks
Emma Fa'alogo – 28 assists
Avarey Stuff – 3 service aces
 
THE BUZZ: Kennedy Juranek was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team is back home again this Saturday at 1 PM against the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.