Yellowjackets End Season with Loss to Hawaii Pacific (November 12, 2002)

BILLINGS, MT – The MSU Billings Yellowjackets closed out the 2002 season with a 30-15, 30-27, 30-25 loss to Hawaii Pacific.  The Sea Warriors, ranked No. 7 in the Pacific Region, used 18 kills and 15 digs from Susy Garbelotti to improve to 14-8 overall.  The Yellowjackets finished the season 9-18 overall, 3-6 in the PacWest.

Garbelotti posted her second double-double in as many nights as HPU won three of four games on its mainland swing.  She also had three block assists and three solo blocks.  Setter Vera Oliveira handed out 35 assists and added 15 digs.  

MSU Billings was paced by Olivia Munro for the second night in a row.  The sophomore outside hitter knocked down 20 kills to go along with 12 digs.  Cortney Metzler finished with eight kills and 14 digs, and Kari Gerretsen had eight kills with a .267 hitting percentage.

It was the final game in the careers of MSU Billings seniors Krissy Janney, Mandi Paulson, and Onika Van Zanten.  Janney finishes her career No. 3 in school history for career assists, No. 4 for career service aces, No. 4 for assists-per-game in a season, No. 5 for career games played, No. 6 for assists in a season, and No. 9 for career digs.  Paulson is No. 2 in the Yellowjacket record book for digs-per-game in a season, No. 3 for career digs per game, and No. 5 for career digs.

Said Yellowjacket Head Coach Pa'ulasi Matavao, "Krissy is a four-year player who will obviously be in our record book for many years to come.  She has had a very productive career at MSU Billings.  Mandi became an important part of our system as soon as she transferred to MSUB.  In her two years here, she has been one of our most consistent players and leaders.  Onika overcame a lot during her four years at MSU Billings.  After a promising freshman year, she has battled injuries along the whole way.  I'm impressed with her determination that has put her back on the court and that has helped her graduate on time."