Crusaders Down Yellowjackets in Five Sets

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NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State Billings volleyball squad battled strong on the road, but Northwest Nazarene was able to rally behind a strong fourth and fifth set to defeat the Yellowjackets 3-2 Thursday evening at the Johnson Sports Center, 25-18, 24-26, 27-29, 25-17, 15-9.

The Yellowjackets received another great match from Melissa Porter, 13 kills, seven blocks and a .250 hitting percentage. Devon Crotteau ended the night with another double-double, 16 kills and 27 digs. Hannah Johnson and Hillary Morrison each recorded five kills, while Jody Lutz had nine kills and Jill Trabing had 16 digs.

After dropping the first set, the Yellowjackets fell behind in the second, 7-3. Battling back behind a kill from Crotteau and trio of attacking errors by the Crusaders, MSUB took the lead late in the set, 24-23. A kill from Jennifer Boe, who recorded seven kills and 14 digs, set up a the set point, which Johnson slammed home for a 26-24 victory.

The third set was another close battle as NNU jumped out to a 15-10 lead, but again, MSUB was able to get back in the match and build a four point lead of its own, 23-19. The set continued back and forth until Boe gave the ‘Jackets a 28-27 lead with another kill, and Morrison closed out the set with a kill from Jody Lutz.

Down 2-1, the Crusaders jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, outhitting the Yellowjackets .500 to .294, to tie the match at two apiece. The fifth set saw much of the same as NNU built an early lead and kept the Yellowjackets at bay, winning the set and the match, 15-9.

The Crusaders (11-7, 4-2) were led by a 29 kill effort from Lindsay Grant and 21 kills from Cammy Dranginis. Amy Higginson recorded 36 assists, while Eki Punimata had 25. As a team, NNU hit for .208 in the match with 71 kills, 99 digs and 11 blocks.

As a team, MSUB (9-8, 3-3) hit for .255 with 56 kills, 91 digs and 14 blocks. The Yellowjackets return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Seattle Pacific starting at 7 p.m. The Falcons are currently in first place in the GNAC standings, resting at 4-0, and are 10-6 overall. MSUB will return home for three matches, starting with Rocky on Tuesday, Oct. 13, after the road trip concludes.