BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (3-23) faced off against the Western Oregon Wolves (9-15). In the Great Northwest Athletic Conference showdown, the Wolves came away with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-17) victory.
 
The 'Jackets came out hot in the opening set finding success at the right pin, efficient blocking, and capitalizing on the seven attack errors already by the Wolves. After the Wolves tied up the match at 11 it was freshman outside hitter who broke the tie with her second kill of the night. Western would then find their groove going on an 8-3 run to take the first set 25-19.
 
The second set opened with no point easy to come by. The back-and-forth battle consisted of multiple rallies with both squads not wanting to give an inch. Although the Wolves were able to get out to a 10-6 lead the Yellowjackets battled their way back within one behind a pair of kills from Paiten Langston and Julia Gordon. The Yellowjackets battled to stay in it, but Western Oregon's offense was impressive hitting over .300 as a team with 13 kills in the set. Sarah Strus was leading the way with 8 kills at this point in the match and hitting .636 helping carry them to take the second set 25-18.
 
The Wolves carried their momentum into the third set jumping out to an early 10-2 lead due to four attacking errors by the 'Jackets. Nichols ended the 7-0 run from the Wolves after an electrifying solo block to try and spark the Yellowjackets. The 'Jackets didn't give up bringing the match within six 14-8 behind Paiten Langston who had a team leading 7 kills at this point in the match. Western Oregon did what they did best all night and continued to hold their lead with their consistent offense. With the Wolves being the first team to match point the 'Jackets had one of the longest rallies of the night but eventually fell 25-17 in favor of Western Oregon.
 
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Paiten Langston – 8 kills, .263 hitting percentage, 4 blocks
Bailey Nichols – 5 kills, 3 blocks
Aubrey Allison – 5 kills, 5 digs
Christine Funk – 14 digs, 4 assists
 
THE BUZZ: Freshman Julia Gordon was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team is back home on November 12^th for their last match of the 2023 season. The Yellowjackets will honor their five seniors prior to the first serve of the match.