Yellowjackets Put the Deep Freeze on Nanook

Box Score

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Montana State Billings put a damper on senior night with a 3-1 (25-21, 17-25, 25-19, 25-18) win over Alaska Fairbanks, Thursday night on the volleyball court.  The victory was the first for MSUB since Oct. 6.  The Yellowjackets will look to make it two in a row, taking on Alaska Anchorage, Saturday, Nov. 8.  The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

In the opening game, the two teams slugged it out on even terms for almost the entire game.  The biggest lead at any point was three, which was quickly made up by the other side.  UAF got a kill to make it 22-21, MSUB.  The Jackets then got three straight kills from Devon Crotteau to end the game.

In game two, the team again battled close early.  Following a Nanook hitting error, the score was 11-10, UAF.  Alaska Fairbanks then went on a 9-3 run to put the game out of reach.

In game three, Montana State Billings found themselves facing a critical point of the match.  Tied at one-one, which Yellowjacket squad would surface?  It was a total team effort from the Jackets as they exploded to an 18-8 early lead.  Alaska Fairbanks never got closer than five points the rest of the way.

In game four, MSUB jumped out to a 14-10 lead.  The Nanooks were not ready to give up and came back with a 7-3 run to make it 17-17.  The team traded points to make it 18-18.

The Yellowjackets got two kills from Crotteau and forced two hitting errors to make it 22-18.  UAF called timeout to settle their nerves and freeze out the Jackets.  MSUB was not to be denied and came up with three straight blocks to close the match.

“The true Montana State Billings team came out tonight,” said head coach Dana Cordova.  “It was a total team effort tonight.  Everyone had a role to play and they went out and did it.  This was a big win since Fairbanks was third in the GNAC and fighting for a regional playoff spot.”

For MSUB (6-22, 3-11 GNAC), Crotteau had 19 kills, 10 digs and hit .359 while Jennifer Boe had 12 kills.  Hillary Morrison quarterbacked the offense with 37 assists and added 10 digs.  The Jackets came away with 10 team blocks led by Jessica Lechner with six and Ashley Welborn with four.  Jill Trabing had a solid night with 16 digs.

For UAF (15-8, 9-5 GNAC), Megan Thigpen had 16 kills, Jessica Hill had 14 and Alexa Sherman had 45 assists.