OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team fell to Saint Martin's in straight sets Friday night, dropping a 3-0 decision at Costantino Rec Center on the campus of Evergreen State College. The Yellowjackets were defeated 25-14, 25-21 and 25-15 as they continued Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
MSUB (3-17, 0-11 GNAC) finished with 23 kills and a .100 hitting percentage while adding 21 assists, three service aces and eight total blocks. The Yellowjackets recorded 39 digs defensively but struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against the Saints.
Allie Dorman led the Yellowjackets with seven kills on 30 attacks, adding eight digs and an assist.
Emma Fairbairn contributed five kills and 10 digs, while
Laina Whitney recorded four kills on 17 attacks with a .176 hitting percentage.
Izzy Ping also finished with four kills, and
Aaliyah Gaylord paced the offense with 10 assists while adding two service aces and three digs.
Addyson Quandt contributed two kills and three total blocks, including one solo block.
Saint Martin's controlled the opening set, jumping out to an early advantage and maintaining its momentum to take the frame 25-14. MSUB managed seven kills but was limited to a .026 hitting percentage as the Saints established control at the net and created separation throughout the set.
The Yellowjackets responded with a more competitive effort in the second set, recording eight kills and improving their hitting percentage to .154. MSUB stayed within striking distance and pushed the Saints through a tighter frame, but Saint Martin's maintained its advantage down the stretch to secure a 25-21 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, MSUB again recorded eight kills and hit .154, matching its second-set offensive production. However, the Saints maintained control to close out the match with a 25-15 win, completing the sweep in three sets.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will have an opportunity to respond Saturday when they face Saint Martin's again at Marcus Pavilion. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. Mountain time as MSUB continues its GNAC road trip.
