MONMOUTH, Ore. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team put together a resilient third-set performance Thursday night but was unable to overcome Western Oregon, falling 3-1 at the Wolves Athletic Center by scores of 25-21, 25-21, 18-25 and 25-17 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
The Yellowjackets (3-16, 0-10 GNAC) battled throughout the four-set contest, keeping the opening two frames competitive before responding with their most efficient offensive showing of the night in the third set. Despite the momentum shift, Western Oregon answered in the fourth to close out the match and improve to 8-10 overall and 4-6 in conference play.
MSUB finished the match with 44 kills on a .207 hitting percentage, totaling 40 assists, six service aces and 18 total blocks. The Yellowjackets also collected 68 digs defensively while committing 14 attack errors across 145 attempts. MSUB's blocking presence helped keep the match competitive, with the team recording 18 block assists and one solo block.
Allie Dorman led the Yellowjackets' offensive attack with 16 kills on a .297 hitting percentage, adding nine digs in an all-around effort.
Emma Fairbairn contributed nine kills and 18 digs, tying
Avarey Stuff for the team lead in digs.
Addyson Quandt added six kills while hitting .333, recording five block assists and one solo block for six total blocks.
Izzy Ping finished with five kills and two block assists, while
Laina Whitney added three kills and four block assists.
Grace Lingle contributed two kills and four block assists, helping anchor MSUB's defensive effort at the net.
Aaliyah Gaylord distributed 16 assists while adding two kills and eight digs.
Avery Starr recorded 15 assists, nine digs, one service ace and one block assist as the Yellowjackets utilized both setters to facilitate the offense. Stuff also contributed five assists and two service aces, while Fairbairn added a service ace to help MSUB finish with six aces overall.
The opening set featured a competitive battle as the Yellowjackets looked to establish themselves against the Wolves on their home court. MSUB recorded 11 kills and hit .178 in the frame, staying within striking distance throughout much of the set. Western Oregon generated 17 kills but also committed seven attack errors, allowing the Yellowjackets to remain in contention before the Wolves pulled away to claim the opening set 25-21.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with MSUB continuing to find offensive opportunities while attempting to even the match. The Yellowjackets recorded 12 kills on a .216 hitting percentage, improving their efficiency from the opening frame. However, Western Oregon again produced 17 kills and maintained enough separation to secure another 25-21 decision, moving within one set of the match victory. Despite trailing 2-0, MSUB continued to compete and looked to build on its offensive production heading into the third.
The Yellowjackets delivered their strongest offensive performance of the evening in the third set, responding with improved efficiency to extend the match. MSUB recorded nine kills while committing just one attack error in 26 attempts, finishing with a match-best .308 hitting percentage. The Yellowjackets' disciplined attack helped them take control of the frame and earn a 25-18 victory, cutting Western Oregon's lead to 2-1. The performance gave MSUB renewed momentum and forced the Wolves to respond in the fourth set.
Western Oregon regained control in the fourth, using an efficient offensive attack to prevent the Yellowjackets from extending the match to a deciding fifth set. The Wolves recorded 14 kills on a .343 hitting percentage, their most efficient performance of the night, while committing just two attack errors. MSUB managed 12 kills in the frame but hit .162 as Western Oregon pulled away to claim the set 25-17 and secure the 3-1 victory.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will continue their conference schedule tomorrow, Oct. 16, as they travel to Olympia, Washington, to take on Saint Martin's. Friday's competition has been moved to Costantino Rec Center on the campus of Evergreen State College. First serve is set for 8:00 pm mountain time.
