FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team battled throughout Thursday morning's Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener but fell to Alaska Fairbanks 3-0, with the Nanooks taking the match 25-17, 25-22, and 25-21 at Alaska Airlines Gymnasium.
The Yellowjackets finished the match with 29 kills on 99 attacks for a .162 hitting percentage, while adding 28 assists, 49 digs, six blocks and one service ace. MSUB was particularly competitive in the second and third sets, recording 12 kills in the second frame and seven more in the third. Alaska Fairbanks finished with 43 kills on 118 attacks for a .229 hitting percentage and held advantages in kills and blocks, but the Yellowjackets kept each of the final two sets within reach late.
"Love how we played against one of the top teams in the country and defending champions on their home floor," said head coach
Scott Keister. "We played solid for 80 percent of the match but need to get better at maintaining our focus and grit throughout."
Emma Fairbairn paced the Yellowjackets offensively with 14 kills on 35 attacks while hitting .343, producing nearly half of MSUB's total kills.
Mikayla Champlin added five kills on just nine attacks for a .333 hitting percentage, while
Allie Dorman also finished with five kills.
Avery Starr guided the offense with 24 assists and added 10 digs for a double-double.
Avarey Stuff provided a strong defensive presence with a team-high 14 digs, while
Avarie Gutierrez contributed five digs and Champlin added a pair of blocks and 3.5 points.
The opening set featured an early back-and-forth battle before Alaska Fairbanks began to create separation. MSUB stayed within striking distance during the opening stages, but the Nanooks used a strong offensive stretch to establish control. The Yellowjackets continued to compete and worked to close the gap, but Alaska Fairbanks maintained its advantage through the closing points and took the first set 25-17.
MSUB came out with a stronger offensive rhythm in the second set and kept the Nanooks from building a significant lead. The Yellowjackets recorded 12 kills in the frame, with Fairbairn leading the attack as MSUB repeatedly answered Alaska Fairbanks' scoring runs. The set remained competitive throughout, and MSUB stayed within a few points as the teams approached the final stretch. The Nanooks ultimately put together enough offense late to hold off the Yellowjackets and claim the second set 25-22, taking a 2-0 match lead.
The Yellowjackets continued to battle in the third set, but Alaska Fairbanks once again managed to maintain a narrow advantage. MSUB recorded seven kills in the final frame and received contributions from several attackers as it attempted to extend the match. The Yellowjackets remained within reach into the latter stages of the set, but the Nanooks were able to close out the final points and secure a 25-21 victory, completing the three-set sweep.
With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 2-7 overall and 0-1 in GNAC play, while Alaska Fairbanks improves to 9-2 overall and 1-0 in conference action. MSUB will look to bounce back Saturday when it continues its Alaska road trip against Alaska Anchorage at 7 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.
