BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team (7-12, 0-9 GNAC) fell in four (25-16, 24-26, 25-13, 25-14) to the Western Oregon Wolves (12-6, 4-5 GNAC). With an ace in the second set, senior libero
Christine Funk cracked the top 10 for career service aces (85) and now sits tied for eighth in MSUB history.
The Wolves were nearly flawless in the Saturday matchup, hitting over .345 as a team in two of the sets, and just under .300 total as a team. WOU put down 53 total kills with eight service aces, pressuring the Yellowjacket defense all game. MSUB did find some success at the net, out blocking the Wolves 8-7 in total blocks, led by
Aliah Williams who posted her second straight four plus block performance.
Julia Gordon was not fazed by the red-hot Wolves, posting her third straight game with at least 13 kills. Gordon also hit a team best .265 with three blocks to add.
Emma Fa'alogo led the 'Jackets with 14 assists, five digs, and one solo block, followed by
Addie Allen with 12 assists, six digs, and one service ace. On the back row, Funk led the team with 15 total digs paired with six assists.
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "We were in a tough situation today with some injuries and that led into some inconsistencies on offense. Julia stepped up today playing a different role and did a great job. After a busy week with three matches, we are looking forward to more home games next week and getting right back on it next Thursday."
Following a 25-16 loss in the opening set, the Yellowjackets bounced back in the second frame. What looked like another winning set for the Wolves was quickly diminished after MSUB went on a late 4-0 run to take their first lead of the match, all behind the serve of Allen. Western Oregon tied it up at 23's and 24's but Wolves had back-to-back attack errors to give the 'Jackets the 26-24 win. After tying up the match following the second set, WOU showed their best volleyball, taking set three and four to win the match 3-1.
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Julia Gordon (13); Three players tied (5)
ASSISTS: Emma Fa'alogo (14);
Addie Allen (12)
DIGS: Christine Funk (15);
Addie Allen (6)
BLOCKS: Aliah Williams (4);
Julia Gordon (3)
THE BUZZ: Julia Gordon was yet again named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 13 kills while swinging .265 with three blocks and two digs.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team stays home for two more home matches next week, facing off against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on October 24
th at 7 PM and the Central Washington Wildcats (RV) on October 26
th at 1 PM.
