FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu October 22, 2016 Volleyball swept by Northwest Nazarene MSUB Volleyball on Facebook | MSUB Volleyball Stack on ISSUU | Box Score
Faith Taylor had six digs and two assists in the match against Northwest Nazarene.
A fast offense stumps the MSUB volleyball squad, as the ‘Jackets fall in straight sets to visiting Northwest Nazarene. BILLINGS, Mont. – A fast offense from Northwest Nazarene stumped the MSU Billings volleyball squad as the Yellowjackets fell 25-13, 25-21, and 25-15 Saturday at Alterowitz. With the win, Northwest Nazarene completes the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season sweep over Montana State Billings. The Crusaders improve to 14-5 overall and 7-5 in the GNAC. Montana State University Billings falls to 3-18 on the season and 2-10 in the GNAC. “I don’t think that we responded to NNU’s quick offense like we should have,” MSUB head coach Casey Williams said. “Our hitters struggled against their block tonight and our defense couldn’t rally around it. NNU had a high-hitting percent in all three games to give them the win. We are looking for a better all-around effort from our team on Tuesday against a tough crosstown rival.”
Northwest Nazarene finished with a .347 attack percentage (46-13-95). The offense was led by 13 kills from Madi Farrell on a .571 attack percentage, adding-in a match-high six blocks. Kendra Bodine added 11 kills and 11 digs. Libero Shayli Siegfreid led the match with 16 digs. Hailey Cook finished with 34 assists. The Yellowjackets were led by nine kills and 10 digs from Stormy Siemion. Ashlynn Ward finished with six kills and five digs. Casey Rich led the team with five blocks. Angala Jensen had 13 assists, four kills, and four blocks. MSU Billings also struggled from the service line, committing eight service errors to two from the Crusaders. Two service aces for NNU in the beginning drove the opening two points for the Crusaders, but MSUB’s Mataia Robinson countered with two tough serves for the ‘Jackets after a side out on a kill from Ward. NNU engaged on a 7-1 run to open up a 13-5 lead. With a solo block in the middle, Bre Rodrigues earned a point back for the Yellowjackets. Ward finished an attack into the block to add another point and Rich sent the ball back into NNU’s court. The ‘Jackets closed the gap to seven, 19-12, on a kill from Siemion to the right corner. Off a back set from Jensen, McConnell pounded a kill for the final MSUB point of the first set. Northwest Nazarene closed out the opening frame with five straight points ended on a kill from Farrell. McConnell leveled the opening set at two points each with a screaming kill off a short set from Jensen in the middle. The Crusaders moved the scoreboard ahead with four straight points. Jensen and Rich on their second try on the outside block earned a side out for the ‘Jackets. Siemion drew MSUB to one back at 7-6, using an attack off the block. After a defensive move from Ward to save a ball in the short court, Siemion pounded a ball home to tie the set at 10. The teams traded points. Rich and Rodrigues pulled the ball back on a double block and a huge solo block from Rich in the middle kept the ‘Jackets in-step with the Crusaders. Two errors from MSUB pushed NNU ahead 20-17. The Crusaders played excellent defense to keep a ball in play, but Ward came up high on the outside to finish the point. Rich battled through the middle block and an error from the Crusaders moved MSUB to within two, 20-22. Natalie Knauf provided a set point with an unopposed attack. Ward collected one more point for the ‘Jackets. Mari Thomas pulled the Crusaders ahead 2-0 with a kill on the outside. A sneaky attack from Jensen pulled the ‘Jackets two back, 7-5, in the third frame. Keeping the margin of two points, McConnell cleared a ball to the back line. A double block from Farrell and Bodine pulled NNU back up. Siemion pushed a kill into the corner for a side out. Ward fought for room on the outside and Rich finished an over hit with a kill. Charging ahead, Northwest Nazarene engaged on a 7-1 run to take command of the set 19-10. The Yellowjackets added half of their total with five more points in the set, including kills from Ward, McConnell, and Siemion. Putting their foot down, Northwest Nazarene completed the third frame with kills from Kari Staples and Bodine. THE BUZZ: Jensen named St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Match. UP NEXT: MSUB finishes its five match home stand hosting non-conference opponent Rocky Mountain College in an early week match during the Yellowjackets annual Think Pink night. MSUB welcomes the Battlin’ Bears to Alterowitz on Tuesday, Oct. 25, for a 7 p.m. first serve.
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