BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket Volleyball team (2-11) faced off against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (6-6). The Nighthawks prevailed, taking down the Yellowjackets 3-1 (25-21, 25-14, 24-26, 25-19). Christine Funk had another memorable night cracking the top-10 for career digs, surpassing Bayli Monck (1,052) in the MSUB history books. Funk now sits at 1,059 digs in just her junior season.

The first set of the afternoon was a true back and forth battle, but the Nighthawks ultimately prevailed 25-21. The Yellowjackets offense looked promising as they tallied 4 aces with Paiten Langston having two of them. Julia Gordon was swinging well in her first career start at a pin position compiling 5 kills in the set.

The Nighthawks came out hot in the second set of the match, getting up 13-6 early and taking it 25-14. NNU's offense was impressive in the first two sets, hitting .296 with 32 kills. The 'Jackets needed a spark to force a fourth set.

The Yellowjackets were down again early but had a 6-1 run that put them ahead 17-15. This run was a result of freshman outside hitter Aubrey Allison who had three consecutive kills. The Nighthawks would battle back and gain a 24-23 lead. With the set at match-point, Kennedy Juranek tried subbing into serve but with the 'Jackets out of subs, Bailey Nichols had to stay in to serve. With the game on the line MSUB scored three consecutive points with an ace by Nichols being one of them. This was just the spark they needed, taking the third set 26-24 after a block from Langston and Fa'alogo.

MSUB carried their momentum into the fourth claiming an early 6-1 lead but were not able to hold it. The Nighthawks came back to take the set 25-19, winning the match 3-1 despite the fight from the 'Jackets.
 
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Julia Gordon – 12 kills
• Christine Funk – 29 digs
• Paiten Langston – 7 kills, 3 aces, 2.5 blocks
• Emma Fa'alogo – 31 assists, 15 digs
• Hannah Hayden – 2.5 blocks

 
THE BUZZ: Bailey Nichols is your Intermountain Health Player of the Game. Nichols played a great match for the 'Jackets tallying 10 kills, 3 digs, 2 total blocks, 13 points, and a service ace late in the third set putting the 'Jackets up 25-24 and ultimately winning the set.

UP NEXT: Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket Volleyball will be at the Fortin Center for another Rimrock Rivalry matchup against Rocky Mountain College at 7 PM on September 25^th.