BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team faced a tough challenge against #18 Simon Fraser on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Red Leafs in straight sets, 25-11, 25-13 and 25-19, in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
The Yellowjackets (3-15, 0-9 GNAC) struggled to establish consistency offensively against Simon Fraser, finishing the match with 18 kills and a -.020 hitting percentage. MSUB recorded 16 assists, three service aces and 10 total blocks while collecting 35 digs defensively. The Red Leafs finished with 45 kills and a .257 hitting percentage, using an efficient offensive performance to secure the three-set victory in front of 276 spectators.
Allie Dorman led the Yellowjackets offensively with six kills on 24 attempts while adding nine digs and a service ace.
Emma Fairbairn and
Izzy Ping each contributed four kills, with Fairbairn adding five digs and two block assists.
Laina Whitney provided a presence at the net with five block assists, while
Aaliyah Gaylord directed the offense with 13 assists, four digs and a service ace.
Avarey Stuff led MSUB defensively with 13 digs, helping the Yellowjackets work through Simon Fraser's attacking pressure.
Addyson Quandt contributed two kills, and Whitney and Ping each added to the team's blocking effort.
Simon Fraser set the tone early in the opening frame, taking advantage of an efficient attack to put the Yellowjackets on their heels. MSUB managed seven kills in the set but was limited to a .038 hitting percentage while committing six attack errors. The Red Leafs, meanwhile, recorded 17 kills against just one error, finishing with a .667 hitting percentage in the opening frame. Simon Fraser's offensive efficiency created separation throughout the set, and the visitors closed out a 25-11 win to take the early match advantage.
The Yellowjackets looked to respond in the second set but continued to encounter difficulties generating offense. MSUB finished the frame with four kills and eight attack errors, resulting in a -.121 hitting percentage. Despite working to extend rallies and find opportunities to swing, the Yellowjackets were unable to generate the offensive momentum needed to challenge the Red Leafs. Simon Fraser maintained control throughout the set, using another steady performance to secure a 25-13 victory and move within one set of completing the sweep.
MSUB showed signs of improvement in the third set, putting together a more competitive effort as it attempted to extend the match. The Yellowjackets recorded seven kills in the frame, matching their first-set total, and continued to battle defensively while looking for opportunities to close the gap. However, six attack errors limited MSUB to a .026 hitting percentage. Simon Fraser also recorded seven kills in the set but capitalized on the Yellowjackets' offensive struggles to maintain its advantage. The Red Leafs ultimately finished off the match with a 25-19 win, completing the sweep in Billings.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets travel to Monmouth, OR, on Thursday, Oct. 15, to face Western Oregon at the New P.E. Building. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain time as MSUB looks to get back on track in conference play.
