September 15, 2007

Jackets Knock Off First Place Wolves
Box Score
Game Photos
MSUB Season Statistics

BILLINGS, Mont. – Western Oregon entered Saturday as one of two undefeated teams in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.  Montana State Billings tamed the Wolves 30-24, 30-25, 20-30, 30-24 to create a logjam of 3-1 teams in the conference standings.

With the win the Jackets improved to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the GNAC.  Western Oregon fell to 6-5, 3-1.  Northwest Nazarene entered the night at 2-0 and was playing late at Seattle Pacific.  Western Washington is also 3-1.

The Yellowjackets were in firm control of the match through the first two games, trailing at just six points combined during that span.  MSUB out-hit the Wolves .272 to .085 in the first two games.

Coming out of the intermission, Western Oregon dominated the third game, holding the Jackets to a .100 hitting percentage.  MSUB responded by jumping to a 9-1 lead in the fourth game and led nearly wire to wire.  The Wolves were able to pull to a 15-15 tie before the Yellowjackets used a 15-9 run to close the match.

Alicia Cazemier (Vauxhall, Alberta) and Devon Crotteau (Casper, Wyo.) each pounded out 21 kills in the match.  Cazemier had just five errors for a .348 attack percentage and was also in on six blocks.  Crotteau added 14 digs for a double-double.

Jennifer Boe (Casper, Wyo.) finished with 10 kills and 12 digs.  Jessica Lechner (Pompeys Pillar) had an efficient eight kills on a .278 hitting percentage.  Libero Nicole Kruse picked up 15 digs, and setter Stefania Aladjova (Sofia, Bulgaria) handed out 49 assists.

“We knew they were on top of the conference,” said Yellowjacket head coach Sara Schaub.  “We came out with all guns firing and did a great job of getting a 3-1 win.  Alicia and Devon were outstanding with 21 kills each.  Stefania did a great job of moving the ball, getting everyone involved, and spreading our offense out.  That really challenged Western Oregon’s blockers.  The foundation of our play was based off our passing, led by Nicole.  I’m very pleased with how we played tonight.  We’re looking forward to heading to Alaska for the first time.”

The Wolves were led by Kayla Mainer who drilled 21 kills on a .233 hitting percentage.  She also had 15 digs.  Haley Kostrba added eight kills and a match-high 19 digs.

The Yellowjackets hit the road for a pair of GNAC matches next week.  They will play at Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday and at Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.  A live video stream of both matches can be seen at www.pennatlantic.com.  The Yellowjackets’ next home match will be against preseason GNAC favorite Western Washington on Sept. 27.