BILLINGS, Mont. — In a thrilling five-set match that ended a historic conference drought, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team rallied in set five on to defeat Northwest Nazarene 3-2 (27-25, 25-23, 20-25, 16-25, 15-13) inside Alterowitz Gymnasium. The Yellowjackets (5-18, 1-12 GNAC) snapped a 58-match Great Northwest Athletic Conference losing streak with a hard-fought victory, earning their first conference win and delivering a memorable moment in front of a packed home crowd.
The Yellowjackets finished the night with 62 kills on 189 attacks, hitting .175 as a team while recording 59 assists, 78 digs and 10 total blocks. MSUB matched Northwest Nazarene with five service aces and battled through a match that featured 37 tie scores and 15 lead changes. The Yellowjackets showed tremendous resilience throughout the night, holding their ground defensively and finding the plays they needed when the match was on the line. MSUB also recorded 10 blocks, with
Emma Fairbairn and
Laina Whitney each contributing three block assists.
"What an absolute payoff for hard work from these amazing women," said head coach
Scott Keister. "We started strong but got tired and our opponent started to figure us out. But we adjusted and more importantly showed grit through adversity. That is exactly what we have been preaching day in and day out. You have to work hard and withstand adversity to change the course! I am so proud of this team and the tenacity they showed tonight."
Laina Whitney led the Yellowjackets' offensive attack with a career-high 18 kills on 46 attempts, hitting an impressive .326.
Allie Dorman added 14 kills, while
Emma Fairbairn contributed 11 and
Mikayla Champlin finished with 10.
Addyson Quandt chipped in eight kills while hitting .300.
Aaliyah Gaylord paced the offense with 27 assists, followed by
Avery Starr with 24, while
Avarey Stuff anchored the defensive effort with 14 digs. Fairbairn added 16 digs, Dorman recorded 10 for a double-double, and Starr finished with 11 digs while delivering a team-high four service aces.
The opening set immediately established the competitive tone of the evening, with both teams trading points in a back-and-forth battle. Neither side was able to create much separation as the score remained tight throughout the frame. MSUB stayed composed in the closing moments, making the necessary plays to finish off a narrow 27-25 victory and take the early advantage.
The Yellowjackets carried that momentum into the second set, continuing to find success through a balanced offensive attack. Whitney, Dorman and Champlin helped keep the MSUB offense rolling as the teams exchanged points in another tightly contested frame. Northwest Nazarene continued to challenge, but the Yellowjackets held their advantage down the stretch, securing a 25-23 win to move within one set of the match victory.
Northwest Nazarene responded in the third set, finding its rhythm offensively and gradually taking control of the frame. The Nighthawks created separation as the set progressed, forcing MSUB to play from behind. The Yellowjackets continued to battle, but Northwest Nazarene pulled away late to claim the set 25-20 and keep its comeback hopes alive.
The visitors carried that momentum into the fourth set, building an early advantage and making it difficult for MSUB to establish a consistent offensive rhythm. The Yellowjackets struggled to generate the same production that had fueled their opening two sets, allowing Northwest Nazarene to take control. The Nighthawks claimed the frame 25-16, evening the match at two sets apiece and forcing a decisive fifth set.
With a historic conference victory within reach, the Yellowjackets rose to the occasion in the deciding frame. MSUB and Northwest Nazarene traded points throughout the shortened set, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead. The intensity continued to build as the score tightened late, but the Yellowjackets remained composed and continued to fight for every point. With the match hanging in the balance, MSUB delivered in the decisive moments, closing out a 15-13 victory to complete the comeback and end its 58-match GNAC losing streak. The Yellowjackets celebrated a hard-earned milestone, securing their first conference victory in front of an energized home crowd.
The victory marked a significant breakthrough for the Yellowjackets, who showed tremendous determination after watching a two-set lead slip away before regrouping and delivering in the fifth. Behind a career night from Whitney and a complete team effort, MSUB earned a win that had been a long time coming.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to carry Thursday night's momentum into their next matchup when they remain at Alterowitz Gymnasium to host Central Washington on Saturday, Oct. 31. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
