Yellowjackets Sting Undefeated Falcons on Road, 3-2

Box Scores

SEATTLE, Wash. – Using yet another comeback, the Montana State Billings volleyball squad rallied in the fourth set, and would take the decisive fifth set, to hand Seattle Pacific its first loss of the year in conference play, Saturday evening, at Royal Brougham Pavilion (25-22, 19-25, 21-25, 31-29, 15-12).

“We were able to score big points when we needed to,” said head coach Steve Smith. “They had a lot more depth but our girls just pushed through and got the win. We were extremely disappointed the other night after dropping the match to Northwest Nazarene, so to come in to the conference leader’s home court and hand them their first loss was huge for our team.”

The Yellowjackets were paced by the play of Devon Crotteau who recorded 24 kills, 22 digs and hit for a .218 hitting percentage. Jody Lutz and Jen Boe each ended the match with 12 kills apiece and Jill Trabing recorded a team-high 23 digs. Hillary Morrison had a match-high 47 assists, while Melissa Porter recorded a team-high five blocks.

The first set saw MSUB jump out to an early lead as they reeled off seven unanswered points to push the lead to 13-6 with two kills apiece from Lutz and Crotteau. SPU closed the gap, but a kill from Croteau closed out the set for the Yellowjackets, 25-22, despite being outhit .289 to .255.

The Falcons’ Sarah Risser almost single-handedly gave SPU a 6-0 lead to start the second set with a pair of service aces and two kills. With that lead, the Falcons never trailed and took the set, 25-19, tying the match at 1-1.

After taking the third, SPU seemed to be on its way to a 5-0 start in the conference. The fourth set was tied at 6-6 before the Falcons stretched the lead to 16-10 on a service ace by Angie Pricco. The Yellowjackets were able to chip away at the lead as the set wore on, tying it at 24-24 on an attacking error by SPU. As the set continued back and forth, MSUB pulled out the victory with a Falcons attacking error and a kill by Boe from Morrison, 31-29.

The final set saw SPU jump out to a quick 4-1 lead, but MSUB brought it back to one, 8-7, with a pair of kills from Boe and Crotteau. After an attacking error on the Falcons made it 11-10, SPU needed a timeout. The break gave the Yellowjackets a breather and Crotteau was able to tie the match with a kill.

At 11-11, SPU made a trio of attacking errors from Risser, Wodrich and Hoffman to give MSUB match point. A point from Amber Johnson kept the Falcons alive, but with her 24th kill of the night, Crotteau ended the match for the Yellowjackets, taking the final set, 15-12.

Seattle Pacific (10-7, 4-1) was led by Risser’s 19 kills, 31 digs and .200 hitting percentage. Johnson recorded 14 kills for a .375 average. Courtney Weedman led the team in assists with 30, while Anna Herald chipped in with 26 digs. As a team, the Falcons hit for .176 and won the blocking battle with 11.5 blocks during the match.

MSUB (10-8, 4-3) picked up a game a half a game in the conference standings with the victory. As a team, the Yellowjackets hit .198 for the match and were able to hold the Falcons to just .176 hitting. The ‘Jackets recorded 10 blocks as a team to go along with its 96 digs and two service aces.

The Yellowjackets will have an extended break before returning to the court. The next match is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, against Rocky Mountain College at Alterowitz Gymnasium, starting at 7 p.m. MSUB will be looking to avenge a previous loss from earlier in the season.