BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team faced a nationally recognized opponent Saturday afternoon, falling to Seattle Pacific University in straight sets, 25-12, 25-19, 25-20, in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
Seattle Pacific entered the matchup receiving votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, earning 70 points in the Oct. 19 poll. The Falcons continued their strong season with an efficient offensive performance against the Yellowjackets, finishing with 49 kills and a .400 hitting percentage while limiting MSUB to 29 kills and a .125 attack percentage. Seattle Pacific also held advantages in assists, 47-28, and digs, 35-26.
The Yellowjackets (4-18, 0-12 GNAC) were led offensively by
Laina Whitney, who finished with nine kills on 20 attempts for a .400 hitting percentage while adding three block assists.
Emma Fairbairn and
Addyson Quandt each contributed five kills, with Quandt hitting .300 on 10 attempts.
Allie Dorman also recorded five kills, while
Izzy Ping added three. At setter,
Avery Starr distributed 14 assists and
Aaliyah Gaylord added 13. Defensively,
Avarey Stuff paced MSUB with 10 digs, while Whitney led the team at the net with three block assists.
Seattle Pacific established control early in the opening set, using an efficient attack to build separation and put the Yellowjackets on the defensive. The Falcons recorded 15 kills against just one attack error, hitting .483 in the frame. MSUB struggled to find consistency offensively, finishing with nine kills and six errors for a .107 hitting percentage. Despite efforts to slow the visitors' momentum, the Yellowjackets were unable to close the gap as Seattle Pacific secured a 25-12 victory and took a 1-0 lead.
The second set featured a more competitive effort from MSUB, which improved its offensive production and recorded 10 kills. The Yellowjackets continued to look for opportunities to generate momentum, but Seattle Pacific maintained its offensive rhythm. The Falcons tallied 18 kills with only two errors, hitting .432 to keep pressure on the MSUB defense. The Yellowjackets remained within striking distance for portions of the set but could not overcome the visitors' consistent attack, falling 25-19 as Seattle Pacific moved within one set of the sweep.
MSUB continued to compete in the third set, producing another 10 kills and its best hitting percentage of the afternoon at .156. Whitney remained a key presence in the attack, while Quandt and Fairbairn helped provide additional offensive production. The Yellowjackets worked to extend the match, but Seattle Pacific found enough answers to preserve its lead. Although the Falcons committed six attack errors in the frame, they finished with 16 kills and closed out the set 25-20 to complete the three-set victory.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to regroup as they continue their GNAC schedule at home next week. MSUB hosts Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Alterowitz Gymnasium, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.
