SEATTLE, Wash.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team (7-21, 0-18 GNAC) fell short 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-17, 25-16) to the Seattle Pacific University Falcons (10-16, 10-8 GNAC) in the Royal Brougham Pavilion earlier this evening.
The Yellowjackets found success in the second set, outhitting the Falcons .300 to .158 and committing only three attacking errors, compared to Seattle Pacific's eight. MSUB also outdug SPU 56-54, with senior libero
Christine Funk contributing 16 digs and three assists.
On senior night of their final match of the season, the Falcons played some of their best volleyball they've shown all season. Posting a team hitting percentage of .339 with 54 kills and 47 assists. Where they really created their separation was at the net and the service line, out blocking the Yellowjackets 12-3 and out serving them in aces 7-4.
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "We got a lot better this season and there were some really great things that happened. Chris and Sita had breakout seasons and finished the year playing some of their best volleyball. I am proud of the whole team and the fight that they had throughout the entire season, and I am looking forward to us getting back to work this offseason."
Jordin Taulua led MSUB's offense with 15 kills, eight digs, and one assist.
Stella Scott added six kills, two blocks, and hit .385, while
Jahsita Fa'ali'i recorded 12 digs.
Julia Gordon also contributed six kills and one block. The offense was set by
Addie Allen, who tallied 17 assists, six digs, one ace, and one kill, and
Emma Fa'alogo, who posted 16 assists, three digs, and one block. On the service line, defensive specialist
Avarey Stuff contributed two aces and eight digs.
FIRST SET
The Yellowjackets jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, thanks to kills from Scott, Taulua, and Fa'ali'i, along with a service ace from Allen. However, Seattle Pacific responded with a dominant 10-0 run, hitting .519 as a team with just one attack error. The Falcons also added four blocks and four aces to take the first set 25-12.
SECOND SET
The second set was tightly contested, with the score tied at 11 before
Jordan Northcutt gave MSUB a 12-11 lead. The Yellowjackets then went on an 8-2 run, building a 20-13 advantage that forced SPU to call a timeout. Although the Falcons fought back with six more points, Fa'ali'i finished the set with a match-point kill, securing a 25-19 victory for MSUB.
THIRD SET
Seattle Pacific surged in the third set, going on a 9-3 run to grab a 14-6 lead. The Yellowjackets responded with a 4-2 run, highlighted by back-to-back kills from Scott, bringing MSUB within six. Despite a late rally, including two aces from Stuff, the Falcons pulled away to win 25-17.
FOURTH SET
The Falcons dominated the final set, taking a 10-3 lead early, aided by six MSUB attack errors. Although Scott and Taulua kept the 'Jackets within seven, SPU continued to extend their lead and took the set 25-16 to clinch the match 3-1.
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Jordin Taulua (15); Three Players Tied (6)
ASSISTS: Addie Allen (17);
Emma Fa'alogo (16)
DIGS: Christine Funk (16);
Jahsita Fa'ali'i (12)
BLOCKS: Stella Scott (2); Two Players Tied (2)
ACES: Avarey Stuff (2); Two Players Tied (1)
THE BUZZ: Jordin Taulua was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 15 kills with eight digs and one assist.
