MSU Billings Drops Volleyball Match to Western New Mexico (October 5, 2002)

BILLINGS, MT – After defeating Western New Mexico in four games on Friday, the MSU Billings volleyball team found itself on the short end of a 3-1 match Saturday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  The Mustangs hit a combined .197 in the match to win 30-28, 31-29, 21-30, 30-22.  The match didn’t count as a PacWest Conference match.

Western New Mexico (11-8, 0-5 PacWest) surged to an early 8-0 lead in game one and used that momentum to take a 2-0 lead in the match.  MSU Billings (6-10, 2-3) led late in game two and served for the game with a 29-28 lead.  The Mustangs battled for three straight points to take the game. 

Three Mustangs notched double-figure kills, led by Kimberly Tano’s 16.  Lisa Sevieri had 12 and Tamara Goodliffe added 11.  Libero Shaina Franzoy led Western with 26 digs, and setter Malia Kalui recorded a match-high 48 assits.

MSU Billings bounced back in the third game, cruising to a 30-21 win.  Olivia Munro’s service ace broke an 8-8 tie, and the Yellowjackets pushed to a 17-13 lead.  With MSUB leading 27-21, freshman Ashley Jones served four straight points, including three service aces to close out the game.

In the fourth game, Western New Mexico jumped to an early 8-3 lead and never looked back.  The closest MSU Billings could manage was drawing to within one point at 14-13.  With the Mustangs leading 15-13, Amy Goodnight served eight straight points to extend the lead to 23-13 and put the game and the match out of reach.

The Yellowjackets were led by Katrina Dahlgren’s 21 kills and four blocks.  Olivia Munro had 19 kills and 28 digs, and Jones finished with 11 kills and 17 digs.  Setter Krissy Janney finished with 43 assists, and senior Mandi Paulson had 19 digs.

The Yellowjackets next face No. 2 BYU-Hawaii on October 18 and 19 at Alterowitz Gymnasium.