BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team (7-13, 0-10 GNAC) fell in three sets (25-20, 25-17, 25-12) to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (7-11, 4-6 GNAC).
Aliah Williams was the highlight of the night, leading the Yellowjacket in kills with a career high (8) while swinging .238 and had one block to add.
Jahsita Fa'ali'i and
Julia Gordon both pitched in six kills apiece, but it was true freshman
Jordan Northcutt who also posted an impressive three-set stat line. Northcutt put down five kills while swinging a team best .250 and also led the team with two blocks.
Addie Allen did the heavy lifting in the setting position with 16 total assists, one kill, and six digs. Right behind her was
Emma Fa'alogo who pitched in nine assists, two service aces, and three digs. Leading the way in the back row was senior libero
Christine Funk who tallied 12 digs, averaging four digs per set.
The Yellowjackets found most of their success in the opening set of the night, jumping out ahead to an early 13-9 lead. This was due to a couple of kills from Williams and Fa'ali'i, one from Northcutt, and a handful of errors from the Nighthawks. NNU then went on a 4-0 run to tie the match at 15 all and from there it was a back-and-forth race to match point. The 'Jackets tried to extend it late in the set with kills from
Jordin Taulua and Gordon, but the Nighthawks went on to take the set 25-20. From there, Northwest Nazarene caught fire and didn't slow down. NNU went on to take the second and third set to complete the sweep and claim their fourth GNAC victory of the season.
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: Aliah Williams was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a career high eight kills while swinging .238 with one block.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team stays home for another GNAC matchup against the Central Washington Wildcats this Saturday at 1 PM in Alterowitz Gym.
