BURNABY, B.C.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team (6-9, 0-6 GNAC) came up short 3-1 (25-11, 22-25, 25-18, 25-14) to Simon Fraser University Red Leaf's in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Christine Funk was the highlight of the night, breaking the MSUB All-Time Career Digs record in the opening set of the night. This record hasn't been touched in 25 years and was originally set by Gina Langer from 1996-99. Funk ended her night with 19 digs and is the current digs leader at 1,548 career digs and counting.
HEAR FROM FUNK: "The moment was very special and is definitely an accomplish that I will cherish forever. Obviously, the record has been in place for quite some time, which makes it that much sweeter to finally break it. I'm truly thankful for all the people in my support system, and my coaches and teammates for always being there for me and having confidence in me through it all."
Other highlights of the night include a team high and a career high seven blocks from true freshman
Aliah Williams. On the offensive side,
Jordan Northcutt also posted a career-high eight kills with a team best .231 hitting percentage and two blocks. Alongside Northcutt was
Julia Gordon who also posted eight kills while swinging .200 with two blocks. Setting up the offense was
Addie Allen who had a team leading 18 assists followed by
Emma Fa'alogo with 13.
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "We had some great moments tonight, including a big hats off to Christine and her amazing accomplishment. At the end of the night, we were just inconsistent and struggled to get in system."
The opening set of the nights was fireworks for Christine and her accomplishment, but it was the Red Leaf's getting out to an early lead and extending it to take the first set. The Yellowjackets flipped the script in the second frame, going on a late 5-0 run, all behind the serve of
Jahsita Fa'ali'i who had a pair of aces in the stretch. After taking a three-point lead,
Bailey Nichols closed the door at match point, taking the set 25-22. The 'Jackets lost their momentum in the following two sets, struggling to get their same production from the second set and ultimately dropped the match 3-1.
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Jordan Northcutt (8);
Julia Gordon (8)
ASSISTS: Addie Allen (18);
Emma Fa'alogo (13)
DIGS: Christine Funk (19); Jahsita Fa'ali'I (11)
BLOCKS: Aliah Williams (7); three players tied (2)
THE BUZZ: Christine Funk was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 19 digs and breaking the MSUB Career Digs record.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team stays on the road, heading to Bellingham, WA to take on the Western Washington University Vikings this Saturday at 8 PM (MT).
