BURNABY, B.C. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team faced one of its toughest tests of the season Thursday night, taking on No. 22-ranked Simon Fraser in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll before falling to the Red Leaf's in straight sets, 3-0, at West Gymnasium. Simon Fraser claimed the opening set 25-19 before pulling away in the second and third frames, winning 25-12 and 25-11 to secure the Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory.
The Yellowjackets totaled 24 kills, 20 assists, four service aces and 28 digs in the match, finishing with a .110 hitting percentage. MSUB showed its strongest offensive production in the opening set, recording 11 kills, but Simon Fraser's defensive pressure and efficient attack made it difficult for the 'Jackets to establish consistency throughout the remaining two frames. The Red Leaf's finished the night hitting .346 as a team, including a .469 mark in the third set.
Allie Dorman paced the MSUB offense with six kills on 21 attempts, adding one assist and four digs.
Izzy Ping and
Mikayla Champlin contributed five kills apiece, with Ping hitting .250 for the match.
Aaliyah Gaylord directed the Yellowjackets' offense with 11 assists while contributing two kills, six digs and one service ace.
Adrienne Magdaleno led MSUB defensively with six digs and added two kills, while
Emma Fairbairn recorded two service aces and four digs.
Simon Fraser controlled the second set from the outset, taking a 25-12 victory to move within one set of closing out the match. The Yellowjackets managed seven kills in the frame but were limited to a .083 hitting percentage as the Red Leaf's continued to apply pressure on both sides of the net.
The third set saw Simon Fraser deliver its strongest offensive performance of the night, recording 17 kills while hitting .469 to close out the match with a 25-11 victory. MSUB was held to six kills and a .031 hitting percentage in the final frame as the No. 22-ranked Red Leaf's completed the sweep.
The loss moves the Yellowjackets to 5-20 overall and 1-14 in GNAC play, while Simon Fraser improves to 15-6 overall and 12-3 in conference action.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to bounce back Saturday as they continue their road trip with a matchup against Western Washington in Bellingham, Washington. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Sam Carver Gymnasium.
