BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (6-7, 0-4 GNAC) fell short 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-23) to the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (8-7, 2-3 GNAC) in Alterowitz Gymnasium.
Despite dropping three sets, the Yellowjackets were neck-and-neck in every major statistic category. The 'Jackets trailed by just two kills (38-37), three aces (7-4), and won the assists battle 35-34. Following the first set, MSUB held the Seawolves to just a 0.25 hitting percentage, forcing nine attack errors in that duration.
Jordin Taulua led the way on offense for the 'Jackets, posting 14 kills while swinging just under .350 with one block assist and four digs. Right behind her was true freshman
Aliah Williams who tallied a career high seven kills, a .333 hitting percentage, a team high of three blocks, and nine total points.
Feeding the offensive charge was
Emma Fa'alogo with a team high of 17 assists, one kill, and one block, followed by
Addie Allen with 16 assists, one service ace, and five total digs. Leading the way on defense was
Christine Funk with 17 total digs and sits just 14 away from breaking the MSUB Career Digs Record (1,530).
The opening set of the night looked like a set to win for the Yellowjackets after a 3-0 run behind Taulua who had back-to-back kills to help take an 18-15 lead. The Seawolves made a late run to retake the lead and claim the first set 27-25. Anchorage carried their momentum into the second set and led the whole way, eventually taking it 25-19. The final set, similar to the first was back-and-forth but UAA with a slight edge. MSUB brought it back to a one-point ballgame multiple times late in the set but the Seawolves went on to take it 25-23.
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Jordin Taulua (14);
Aliah Williams (7)
ASSISTS: Emma Fa'alogo (17);
Addie Allen (16)
DIGS: Christine Funk (17); Jahsita Fa'ali'I (8)
BLOCKS: Aliah Williams (3)
THE BUZZ: Aliah Williams was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a career high 7 kills, a .333 hitting percentage, and three blocks.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team stays home for their second matchup of the week against the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday at 1 PM.
