Yellowjacket Volleyball Drops Tough Decision on Day Two in Hawaii

Box Score

OAHU, Hawaii – On day two of the AQUA Hotels Invitational, the Montana State Billings volleyball squad fell just short in their bid to open the season 2-0, dropping the match in four games to PacWest Conference Power, BYU-Hawaii, 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 17-25.

“We were in it the whole time, even though we weren’t playing particularly well throughout the entire match,” said head coach Steve Smith. “We were in a grind but the girls gave an extremely good effort, both physically and mentally. This is a tough place to come in and play, but our girls never quit and I’m happy with that.”

Devon Crotteau (Casper, Wyo.) again led the Yellowjackets with 10 kills and 12 digs on the night. Sophomore Whitney Mickelsen (Aurora, Utah) had a team-high 24 digs, while Jen Boe (Casper, Wyo.) added seven kills to go along with her nine digs.

The Yellowjackets got off to great start in the first game, using a half dozen small runs throughout the game to keep just enough distance between themselves and the Seasiders, taking the first game, 25-23. BYU-Hawaii came out in the second game, evening the match by going on small runs of their own, taking the game, 25-21.

BYU-Hawaii came out after the break and picked up where they left off, using runs to build a small lead over MSUB. The Yellowjackets were able to battle back from a 20-16 deficit and tie the game at 21. A couple of errors allowed the Seasiders to take the third game, 25-23, and a 2-1 lead in the match. By the fourth and final game, MSUB looked as though they had run out of gas, dropping the game 25-17.

The Seasiders (1-0), were led by Ane Vea with her 18 kills and four digs. Also contributing were Tanza Buroker, 11 kills and eight blocks, and Melanie Manutai, 20 digs. BYU-Hawaii finished the night with 58 kills, 69 digs, and three service aces as a team.

With the loss, MSUB (1-1) falls to 3-12 all time against the Seasiders. The Yellowjackets will continue play in the AQUA Hotels Invitational tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. against PacWest Conference favorite, Hawaii Hilo. They will again play later that evening at 7 p.m. against Chaminade to complete their Hawaii trip.