Jacket Volleyball’s Streak Ended (9/30/06)
Box Score
Game Photos
Coach Matavao post game audio

BILLINGS, MT – The 10-match winning streak that the Yellowjacket volleyball team put together in the last three weeks finally came to an end on Saturday with a loss to the Texas A&M International Dustdevils.  After dropping the first two games, the Jackets battled back to take the third, but couldn’t hold off the efficiency of the TAMUI attack and lost the fourth game.  The loss comes one day after sweeping the Dustdevils in straight games.

It became clear early on that the Jackets were in for a challenging night after they narrowly lost the first game 30-27.  The opposing onslaught that followed in the second game resulted in a 30-16 loss in which the Jackets managed just a .086 team attack percentage.  The Dustdevils fired a blistering .400 as a team as they easily took the game.  The Yellowjackets regrouped with their 30-26 game-three victory, but fell short in the final game 30-20.   

“They did a good job of getting us out of our offense the whole match,” said Jacket head coach Pa’ulasi Matavao of the Dustdevils.  “We were able to control the match a little bit in the third game, but they took us out of our offense all night.  The key to the game was their serving and it’s been the first time in a while that we’ve struggled against the serve.  There were some players who got frustrated as the game went on and never recovered.” 

A balanced attack featured four Dustdevils who reached double digits in kills. Michelle Castaneda and Eliza Cezario provided much of the offensive power for TAMUI, combining for 40 kills.  Desiree Arrendondo set up 45 of the team’s kills, as well as tallying 6 aces.  Juliana Gusmao and Madison Mojica each recorded 13 digs.

The Jackets were led by senior Jessica Bratton, who recorded 25 kills.  Natalie Bills served out 49 assists and Nicole Kruse lead the Jackets with 15 digs, followed by Ali Watson with 13. Alicia Cazemier’s three solo blocks in the match moved her into first place at Montana State University-Billings for career solo blocks.  Bratton’s kills for the night raised her career total to 1,228, just 60 short of the MSUB record held by Olivia Monroe.   

The Jackets will be traveling next weekend, scheduled to face Incarnate Word on Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7.