BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings volleyball team took the opening set of its second home game of the season against Western Oregon University but ultimately fell by a score of 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-21) in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
A promising start saw 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 responded emphatically to reverse the tide in the next three sets, finishing off the game in four. The two sides finished close to one another in multiple stat categories, but Western Oregon outhit MSUB .302 to .141 in the match and collected eight blocks compared to just two from the Yellowjackets, despite the teams finishing with similar numbers of aces and digs.
MSUB was led offensively by Allie Dorman, who finished with 15 kills, hitting .190 in the match to go with 10 digs and an ace. Mikayla Champlin put together one of the best performances of her freshman season thus far, collecting 11 kills on a .444 hitting percentage and two digs. Emma Fairbairn totaled nine kills, six digs and an ace, while Addyson Quandt finished with six kills and a pair of blocks. Setters Aaliyah Gaylord and Avery Starr dished out 19 and 16 assists, respectively, with Avarie Gutierrez leading the defense with 15 digs.
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After trading runs for the majority of the first set, MSUB turned on the jets late, using a six-point surge to build up a cushion to finish off the Wolves and take an early lead. The Yellowjackets outhit the Wolves .293 to .122 in the set and capitalized on five attack errors by WOU to leap ahead. That result was turned on its head in the second set, when Western Oregon responded emphatically by hitting .520 while holding the Yellowjackets to just a .069 hitting percentage, jumping on the home team in the middle of the set and never looking back as they evened the contest.
With the third set proving pivotal for both teams as they looked to break the deadlock, Western Oregon continued to build on its 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 Yellowjackets improved in set four as they looked to extend the match, pulling close and trying to force a fifth set. Ultimately, MSUB was unable to overcome the Wolves, who collected four blocks while hitting over .300 for the third consecutive set, as the Yellowjackets fell just short and Western Oregon locked up the win.
The Buzz: Champlin was named the Player of the Game.
The Yellowjackets will face 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 p.m.
