Montana State University Billings Athletics

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team opened its match against Western Washington with an impressive first-set performance Saturday afternoon, but the Vikings responded by winning the next three frames to hand the Yellowjackets a 3-1 GNAC defeat at Sam Carver Gym. MSUB claimed the opening set 25-15 before Western Washington rallied to take the next three 25-17, 25-15 and 25-15.
 
The Yellowjackets (5-21, 1-15 GNAC) finished with 28 kills on 134 attacks, hitting .045 for the match. MSUB recorded 10 service aces and 59 digs while combining for 20 total blocks, including four solo blocks and 16 block assists. The Vikings finished with 51 kills, hitting .178, while holding advantages in digs (74-59) and total blocks (17-20 was MSUB's total, including solo blocks and assists).
 
"Great blocking tonight from our team," said head coach Scott Keister. "We have been putting a lot of work into it so it's great to see improvement. It was also great to see their response from a bad Thursday outing."
 
Offensively, Izzy Ping led MSUB with seven kills, while Addyson Quandt delivered an efficient performance with six kills on 12 attacks without committing an error, finishing with a team-best .500 hitting percentage. Allie Dorman added five kills, and Mikayla Champlin contributed four. Laina Whitney recorded a team-high six block assists, adding two solo blocks and three service aces.
 
Quandt also contributed two solo blocks and two block assists. In the back row, Adrienne Magdaleno paced the Yellowjacket defense with a career high 20 digs, while Emma Fairbairn added 13. Aaliyah Gaylord recorded 10 assists, 11 digs and two service aces, while Avery Starr finished with nine assists and three aces.
 
MSUB came out firing in the opening set, establishing control early and maintaining its momentum throughout the frame. The Yellowjackets limited Western Washington's offensive production while finding success on their own attack, building a comfortable advantage before closing out a convincing 25-15 victory to take an early 1-0 match lead.
 
Western Washington responded in the second set, finding its rhythm offensively and putting pressure on the Yellowjackets. MSUB stayed within striking distance early, but the Vikings gradually created separation and evened the match at one set apiece with a 25-17 win.
 
The third set proved challenging for the Yellowjackets as Western Washington continued to build momentum. MSUB managed just four kills in the frame while committing six attack errors, finishing with a -.080 hitting percentage. The Vikings capitalized on the offensive struggles to take the set 25-15 and move ahead 2-1.
 
In the fourth set, the Yellowjackets looked to extend the match, but Western Washington maintained control and continued to apply pressure. MSUB recorded six kills but committed nine attack errors, finishing with a -.063 hitting percentage. The Vikings secured the final set 25-15 to close out the 3-1 victory.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets return home to Alterowitz Gym for their final two matches of the regular season, beginning Thursday, Nov. 12, against Alaska Anchorage. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. MSUB will then host Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.