Yellowjackets Prepare For Alaska Trip

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN...
Although Montana State Billings has already started conference play, this weekend will mark the first conference road trip of the season for the Yellowjackets. Taking a four day, two game, and 4,203 mile trip to Alaska is what lies in store for MSUB as it plays at Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage Thursday and Friday evening. These two games are part of three game road trip (Rocky Mountain College Tues., Sept. 22) for the Yellowjackets. Both games in Alaska are scheduled for 7 p.m.

A LOOK BACK
This past weekend the Yellowjackets hosted the Montana State Billings volleyball tournament at Alterowitz Gymnasium. The tournament featured matches against GNAC foe, Northwest Nazarene, Northern State University, University of Mary and Dickinson State University.

The Yellowjackets completed the tournament with a 2-2 record taking wins over University of Mary and Dickinson State on the final day of the tournament. Both losses came on the first day against NNU and during a five set heartbreaker to NSU.

In the first match, MSUB couldn’t find its rhythm as the squad fell in four games (25-18, 25-17, 19-25, 25-17) to the Crusaders. The loss also dropped the Yellowjackets to 0-1 in conference play, as the match served as the conference opener for both squads.

The second match provided more excitement as the ‘Jackets got off to 1-0 lead thanks in part to the Wolves’ .027 hitting percentage. After losing the second, MSUB took the third set and tried to close out NSU, but failed to shut the door, losing the set 25-20. In the fifth, jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, taking the set and the match 15-9.

The second day of competition proved to be better as the Yellowjackets came out against Mary, dominating from start to finish, taking the match 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-14). The final match of the tournament ended in spectacular play by the ‘Jackets, holding the Blue Hawks to just .136 in hitting percentage (.000 in the second set), as the swept the match 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 26-24).

NATIONAL AND LEAGUE LEADERS
MSUB has four players that rank in the top-10 in numerous individual statistical categories and one that is tops in the nation.

Devon Crotteau is currently seventh in the nation in kills per set with 4.29 . She also currently leads the GNAC in points and kills with 223.5 points and 193 kills, well ahead of second place in both. Crotteau is also top-10 in hitting percentage (5th) and service aces (4th).

Freshman Jody Lutz ranks third in blocks with a 0.98 average per set. She has 44 total blocks which lead the league. Hillary Morrison is fifth in assists with 8.84 per set, while freshman Morgan Moss is eighth in service aces with a 0.36 average.

CROTTEAU EARNS ALL-TOURNAMENT
Devon Crotteau earned all-tournament honors for her 66 kills and .327 hitting percentage over the weekend. She also earned 42 digs, seven blocks and six aces during the tournament.

ABOUT ALASKA FAIRBANKS (6-5, 0-0)
Alaska Fairbanks enters the week with a 6-5 record after going 3-1 at the Equus Challenge in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Nanooks scored a four set victory over Chaminade on Thursday and backed that win up Friday with a three set sweep of Hawaii Pacific. Fairbanks was defeated by Hawaii Hilo in three, but finished the tournament with a four set win over BYU-Hawaii. Nanooks player, Megan Thigpen, was named GNAC co-Player of the Week for her 58 kills, 49 digs and seven aces over the weekend. She currently ranks second in the GNAC in points (4.51), kills (3.82) and service aces (0.51). As a team, the Nanooks rank first in blocks (1.95) and services aces (2.28) in the conference. 

INSIDE THE SERIES...
The Nanooks hold a four game edge in the series wih MSUB. In 38 games the Yellowjackets are 17-21 all-time, but are 12-11 at home. On the road, the ‘Jackets are just 5-9 but have won the last two in Fairbanks. Last season the two teams split the series, both teams winning on the others’ court. The Yellowjackets are 3-1 against the Nanooks since moving into the GNAC in 2007.

ABOUT ALASKA ANCHORAGE (8-4, 0-0)
The Seawolves enter the week with an 8-4 record overall and plays its conference match against the ‘Jackets. Like Fairbanks, Alaska Anchorage came away from Hawaii with a 3-1 record. The Seawolves dropped their first match of the tournament to PacWest favorite, Hawaii-Hilo, but fought back to win the next three. Anchorage defeated BYU-Hawaii in five and then defeated Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific in four sets each. Stacie Meisner was named GNAC co-player of the week for her 86 dig effort in four matches in Hawaii. As a team, Anchorage is leading the GNAC in hitting percentage (.213) and is third in blocks (1.91). Calli Scott leads the league in assists (9.91).

INSIDE THE SERIES...
The Yellowjackets have traditionally struggled against the Seawolves. In 37 matches the Yellowjackets have won just eight times. Recently, the ‘Jackets have fared much better against Anchorage, taking three of four since entering the GNAC and two of three in Anchorage. Last season the two teams split the series, each squad winning on its home floor. 

LOOKING AHEAD
After the quick trip to Alaska, the Yellowjackets return to Billings to finish off its road trip with a match against Rocky Mountain College Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

The focus then will again shift to conference play as MSUB hosts Saint Martin’s and Alaska Anchorage on Sept. 26 and 28 at 7 p.m. in Alterowitz Gymnasium.

A GRAND MILESTONE
Four Players in MSUB volleyball history have eclipsed 1,000 kills in their career. This season, Devon Crotteau made it five.

Crotteau entered the 2009 season just 127 kills shy of the mark. With 19 kills in the final match against University of Mary (Sept. 5), Crotteau had exactly 1,000 kills.

With her performance at the MSUB Invite., Crotteau is now fourth on the all-time kills list at MSUB, passing Brandee Sayles (1994-97) with 1,043 kills. Crotteau also became the 22nd player in GNAC history to record 1,000 career kills.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2009
Former Fort Hays State coach Steve Smith (44-82, 4 years) takes over at Montana State Billings and has six letter winners available off last year’s team, which looks to improve on last season and build a new winning tradition.

Among the six is outside hitter Devon Crotteau (6-0, Sr., Casper, WY – Northern Colorado), who was one of the top kill producers in the GNAC, averaging 3.89 to rank second in the conference.

Crotteau also ranked 10th in kill percentage (.246), netted 3.19 digs per contest and contributed 29 aces and 36 blocks.

Also back are outside hitter Jennifer Boe (5-8, Jr., Casper, WY – Kelly Walsh), setter Hillary Morrison (5-10, Sr., Casper, WY – Chadron State) and libero Jill Trabing (5-8, Sr., Buffalo, WY).

Boe averaged 2.51 kills and 2.75 digs. Morrison was credited with 7.36 assists and Trabing had 3.52 digs.

Smith’s first MSUB team will include only two other letter winners – middle blocker Melissa Porter (6-3, So., Redmond, UT – North Sevier) and defensive specialist Whitney Mickelsen (5-4, So., Aurora, UT – North Sevier) – along with five freshmen.

YELLOWJACKETS TABBED EIGHTH
The Montana State Billings volleyball team was selected eighth in the annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Yellowjackets received 15 points behind conference favorite Western Washington with 60 points.

Returning for MSUB is one of the league’s top kill producers in Devon Crotteau. Last season she ranked second in kills per game, averaging 3.89. Joining Crotteau as returning letter winners will be Jennifer Boe, Hillary Morrison, Jill Trabing, Melissa Porter, and Whitney Mickelson.

Yellowjackets Ink Two-Sport Product
Kayla Neumiller signed with the Yellowjackets for the 2009-2010 season.  Neumiller plans on competing in both volleyball and track & field. Neumiller lettered all four years in high school in volleyball and was an all-state selection as a junior and senior.  She was a first team all-conference selection for three years and earned state all-tournament honors as a senior. Neumiller recorded 330 kills, 48 blocks, 83 aces and 406 digs during her senior year and amassed over 1,000 kills (1,026), 211 aces and 161 blocks in her high school career.