NAMPA, Ida.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (6-6, 0-2 GNAC) fell in four sets to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (5-7, 2-2 GNAC) 3-1 in Nampa, ID.
The MSUB offense was led by
Julia Gordon and
Jahsita Fa'ali'i who combined for 29 kills on the afternoon. Gordon also hit for an impressive .333 and a team high of six total blocks. On the defensive side,
Christine Funk tied her season high with 27 total digs, followed by
Avarey Stuff and Fa'ali'i with 14 digs apiece.
Addie Allen led the way in the setting position with 21 assists, seven digs, and two service aces, followed closely behind by
Emma Fa'alogo with 20 total assists, two digs, and two total blocks.
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "I thought we had some great moments this afternoon, but we struggled to win the long rallies. We had some freshmen step up and both Aliah and Jordan played phenomenal."
SET ONE
The opening set started as a back-and-forth battle, until the Nighthawks went on a 6-2 run to take an 11-5 lead. MSUB responded quickly with a 6-2 run of their own behind a trio of kills from Gordon, Fa'ali'i, and Taulua to make it a two-point ballgame. From there it was another back-and-forth battle until NNU pulled away with a 6-2 run late in the set to take it 25-19.
SET TWO
The second frame of the afternoon started just as the first, with both squads trading punches back-and-forth. The Yellowjackets pulled away to their largest lead of the night of three points after a service ace from Allen, but the nighthawks brought it back, tying the game at 13 apiece. The evenly match set continued until MSUB put it away with a 25-23-win, evening up the match at 1-1.
SET THREE
The third set started the same as the second – back and forth all the way to a 10-10 tie. The Nighthawks went on a quick 4-0 run to take a 15-11 lead, leading to a Yellowjacket timeout. The 'Jackets responded – winning six out of the next eight points to tie it at 17-17. The Nighthawks quickly responded with a three-point run to win the race to 20, but a Taulua kill, and ace brought it to a one-point game. A Fa'alogo kill kept it close at 21-20 with the 'Jackets trailing, and both teams trading points back and forth. The Nighthawks went on a 4-0 run to close the set and took a 2-1 lead after winning the third set 25-20.
FOURTH SET
The fourth set of the night was even keeled, with both squads knotted up until a 9-9 ballgame. NNU pulled ahead to a 12-9 lead, but MSUB came storming back with three scoreless points to tie it back up at 12 apiece. The set continued to be a neck-and-neck ballgame until the Nighthawks had a late run to take the 25-21 win, claiming the 3-1 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Jordin Taulua (16);
Julia Gordon (13)
ASSISTS: Addie Allen (21);
Emma Fa'alogo (20)
DIGS: Christine Funk (27);
Avarey Stuff (14);
Jahsita Fa'ali'i (14)
BLOCKS: Julia Gordon (6);
Jordan Northcutt (5)
THE BUZZ: Julia Gordon was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 13 kills with a .333 hitting percentage and 6 total blocks.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team returns home for a pair of home matchups against both Alaska schools. Their next match is against Alaska Anchorage on October 3
rd at 7 PM in Alterowitz Gym.
