By: Hayden Foltz, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
PORTLAND, Ore.- After the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets volleyball team proudly celebrated the accomplishments of senior libero
Christine Funk and sophomore middle blocker
Julia Gordon, both of whom earned All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference Honorable Mention honors. Their standout performances were integral to the Yellowjackets' success, helping the team achieve its best record since 2021 and tied the program's all-time record for pre-conference wins (6) in the GNAC era.
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "I am so happy that Julia and Chris were honored by the GNAC and got the recognition that they deserve! They both had fantastic seasons, were consistent the whole year for us, and I couldn't be more proud of them and their accomplishments."
In her final season, the Choteau, MT native delivered an outstanding defensive performance, leading the GNAC with 499 total digs to earn her second straight All-Conference nod. She ranked second in the conference and finished within the top 50 nationally in digs per set at 4.99. By the end of the 2024 season, Funk had firmly established herself in the MSUB record books, becoming the program's all-time leader in career digs with 1,778. She also ranks eighth in career service aces at MSUB with 89 and is tied for ninth in sets played with 397. Along with her defensive stats, Funk contributed significantly in other areas, tallying 83 assists (0.83 assists per set) and 25 service aces (0.25 aces per set) in her senior season.
In her sophomore campaign, the Farmington, MN native was the key building block to the Yellowjackets offense. Gordon ranked 18
th in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in kills per set with 2.42 (242 total kills) but where she thrived was her efficiency, ranking 9
th in the GNAC in hitting percentage at .264 with 603 total attempts and just 83 errors to earn her first All-Conference recognition. Gordon also carried the 'Jacket defense at the net, leading MSUB in total blocks with 72, block assists (53), and solo blocks (19). Additionally on the season, Gordon tallied 15 service aces, 48 digs, and 302.5 total points.
