No. 4 BYU-Hawaii Sweeps MSU Billings (October 18, 2002)

BILLINGS, MT – Even though they trailed in each of the first two games, the BYU-Hawaii Seasiders managed a sweep over the MSU Billings Yellowjackets Friday night, 30-28, 30-27, 30-23.  The Seasiders, ranked fourth in the AVCA poll and first in the NCAA West Region poll, improved to 15-1 overall and 5-1 in the PacWest.

MSU Billings seemed to catch BYU-Hawaii off guard in the opening game.  The Yellowjackets led by as much as eight in the first game and as late as 28-26, but the Seasiders rallied to take the first game 30-28.

The Yellowjackets led as late as 19-18 in game two, but Crystal Casebolt served six straight points to give BYU-Hawaii the momentum.  That was the point in the match when the Seasiders finally found their rhythm.  BYU-Hawaii never trailed in the third game, leading by as much as nine before closing out the match with a 30-23 win.

Ashley Moeai posted a match-high 15 kills for the Seasiders.  Chun Yi Lin and Yu Chuan Weng each notched 13 kills and hit over .200 in the match.  Leiau Meatoga recorded the only double-double of the night for the Seasiders with 11 assists and 13 digs.  As a team, BYUH hit .237, knocking down 56 kills and recording 66 digs.

MSU Billings was paced by Krissy Janney’s double-double of 10 kills and 30 assists.  Janney hit .526 in 19 attempts without an error.  Mandy Paulson recorded a match-high 17 digs, while Olivia Munro had 11 digs and Cortney Metzler added 10.  Middle blocker Katrina Dahlgren was the match leader for blocks with five solo and one block assist.  The Yellowjackets hit .145 as a team, with 45 kills and 60 digs. 

The same two teams will face off on Saturday night in a non-conference match.  Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium.