The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (3-23) faced off against the number 18 team in the nation, Seattle Pacific University Falcons (20-4). The Falcons proved why they are one of the top teams in the county, taking down the Yellowjackets on the road 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-22).
 
The Falcons came out of the gates firing in the opening set of the match getting ahead to an early 12-5 lead. As a team Seattle Pacific was hitting an impressive .500 with 10 kills not even halfway through the first set. Senior Hailey Carroll made the start at setter and did her best to get the Yellowjacket offense going. Carroll had seven assists with help from Julia Gordon who had three kills, and Olivia Schwartz with two of her own but was not enough to keep up with the strong Falcon offense. Seattle Pacific would end up taking the first set 25-17.
 
The second set opened up as a true back-and-forth battle with the 'Jackets showing some impressive volleyball behind their freshman attackers Aubrey Allison, Julia Gordon, and Bailey Nichols who combined for five kills with the set notched up at seven apiece. MSUB stayed in it for the majority of the set but a late 6-2 run from the Falcons behind #13 Sarah Brachvogel who had 10 kills at this point in the match was all they needed. The second set of the afternoon ended with a final score of 25-16 in favor of Seattle Pacific.
 
The third set of the match again started with no team in favor. With both teams just under the 10 point mark they were hitting it efficiently, having team hitting percentages over .300 at this point in the set. It was then where the #18 team in the nation pulled away like they had all afternoon going on a 6-0 run backed up by another 5-2 run to put them ahead 23-16. The 'Jackets didn't go down easy with their backs against the wall at match point MSUB scored five consecutive points behind the serve of Christine Funk. Even with the late 5-0 run by the Yellowjackets it wasn't enough, dropping the set 25-22 and losing the match 3-0 in favor of the Falcons.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Olivia Schwartz – 9 kills
Aubrey Allison – 6 kills, 8 digs, 1 service ace
Hailey Carroll – 24 assists
 
THE BUZZ: Christine Funk was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 13 digs (4.3 D/S), and three assists. Funk also lead the late 5-0 run with her serve in the final set to bring the 'Jackets within three at match point.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team is back home on November 16^th at 7 PM against Western Oregon. The Thursday night matchup will be a blue out in support of Diabetes Awareness Month.