BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings volleyball team would take the opening set of the team's second home game of the season against Western Oregon University, but would ultimately fall by a score of 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-21) in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
A promising start would see the Yellowjackets (2-10, 0-2 GNAC) come out hot on home court, pushing past the Wolves (6-4, 2-0 GNAC) in the opening set, but the visitors would respond emphatically to reverse the tide in the next three sets, finishing off the game in four sets. The two sides would finish close to one another in multiple stat categories, but Western Oregon would outhit MSUB .302 to .141 in the match, along with collect eight blocks compared to just two from the 'Jackets, despite the teams finishing with similar numbers of aces and digs.
MSUB would be led offensively by
Allie Dorman, who would finish with 15 kills, hitting .190 in the match to go with ten digs and an ace.
Mikayla Champlin would put together one of the best performances of her freshman season thus far, collecting 11 kills of a .444 hitting percentage and two digs.
Emma Fairbairn would total nine kills, six digs, and an ace, while
Addyson Quandt totaled six kills and a pair of blocks. Setters
Aaliyah Gaylord and
Avery Starr would dish out 19 and 16 assists respectively, with
Avarie Gutierrez leading the defense with 15 digs.
After trading runs for the majority of the first set, MSUB would turn on the jets late in the set, using a big six-point run to build up a cushion to finish off the Wolves and take an early lead. The Yellowjackets would outhit the Wolves .293 to .122 in the set, while capitalizing on five attack errors by WOU to leap ahead. But that result would be turned on it's head in the second set, where Western Oregon would respond emphatically by hitting .520, while holding the 'Jackets to just a .069 hitting percentage, jumping on the home team in the middle of the set and never looking back as they evened up the contest.
With the third set proving pivotal for both teams as they looked to break the deadlock, Western Oregon would continue to build on it's momentum from set two after trading points early, taking an early lead and never trailing in the set. The Wolves hit .367 in set three, overcoming five service errors with MSUB hitting just .036. The 'Jackets would improve in set four as they looked to continue the game, pulling close and trying to force a fifth set. Ultimately though, MSUB would be unable to overcome the Wolves, who would collect four blocks while hitting over .300 for the third consecutive set, falling just short as the Wolves locked up the win.
THE BUZZ: Champlin was named the Player of the Game.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will face off next against crosstown foe Rocky Mountain College in the first Rimrock Rivalry meeting of the season. The teams will battle on Tuesday, September 22 at the Fortin Center, with first serve set for 7 PM.
