MSB falls 3-0 at home to WOU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu October 15, 2015 4 ‘Jackets score 10 kills, WOU too strong sweeping MSUB 3-0

Stormy Siemion was one of four MSUB players to finish with 10 kills against Western Oregon.

Women’s Volleyball on Facebook Interactive Box Score Women’s Volleyball Stack on ISSUU MSU Billings battles back after a strong start from Western Oregon, but the Wolves attack proves too tough, as the Yellowjackets fall 3-0 at home.

BILLINGS, Mont. – After a strong start from Western Oregon, MSU Billings battled back in the second and third sets, but the Wolves proved too tough as the Yellowjackets fell 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 26-24) at home in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

“I thought Stormy Siemion played a great second set, giving us a boost and taking some great smart shots,” MSUB head coach Lisa Axel said. “She was able to find the open court for us tonight, the first time she has been in the front row since coming back from an ankle injury.”

Four Yellowjackets finished with 10 kills during the match. Siemion was just short of a double-double as the junior outside hitter added eight digs.

“Taylor Albertson was also very effective for us,” Axel continued.

“She was very smart with the ball, taking swings when she could.

It came down to WOU battling us really hard and playing unbelievable defense. They hit .386 so it’s hard to beat a team when they are hitting that well.”

Led by 14 kills from Amanda Short, the Wolves finished with 48 kills for the match. Alisha Bettinson completed a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs. Christie Colasurdo ended with a matchhigh 21 digs, while Maddie Machiz led both teams in assists with 43.

The Wolves outhit MSUB .386 to .169. They were also stronger on digs (58-44) and blocks (8-4).

With the win Western Oregon jumps to 5-14 overall and 2-8 in the GNAC. MSU Billings falls to 3-14 and 2-7 in the conference.

Along with Albertson and Siemion, Audri Marrs and Ashlynn Ward both contributed 10 terminations. The defense was spread-out for the ‘Jackets with five players collecting five or more digs.

Siemion led the charge with eight with Taylor Sherman and Kimmy Kirk tied for seven each.

Taylor Albertson finished with 10 kills against WOU. Western Oregon dominated the first set, jumping out to a 10-5 lead on a kill from Mariella Vandenkooy. Two misfires from WOU, closed the gap to 10-7, but the Wolves opened up a 16-8 lead on a 6-1 run. Albertson and Marrs made smart shots to keep MSUB alive, but the Wolves finished strong on a second 6-1 run ending the first frame 25-15.

The next two sets were much more back-and-forth. The second set featured 20 ties and seven lead changes while the third frame contained six tie scores.

Into the second set tied at seven, Western Oregon jumped ahead with two points from Short, but MSUB kept pace, adding one from Ward.

With both teams missing serves, the momentum was driven by the attack. A big kill from Siemion on the sixth tie of the set gave the Yellowjackets the go-ahead for 13-12. Ward came up high on a long set from Williams for a booming crosscourt kill at 16-15. The Wolves responded with two, including a double block on the outside to take the lead back by one. Sherman struck a ball that dribbled over the net and MSUB pushed the score to 18-17, forcing WOU to call for its first timeout of the set.

Sherman missed the next ball giving Western Oregon a point, but Albertson coming into the center for a ball hit it off the block. The Wolves were able to push three straight, ending on a tip from Bettinson. After the first break, the Yellowjackets fought hard, including two great defensive moves from Williams, but WOU won the point with back-toback attacks from Bettinson.

Needing to climb back in, MSUB picked up three straight points from Siemion on the outside to knot the score at 22.

WOU fired back, but Marrs pounded a clean kill from the middle. The Wolves earned a set point, but again Marrs was

the difference as the senior came through with a ball straight down the middle. Backs against the wall, the Wolves ended the set on a kill from Sidney Blankinship and a forced error on the Yellowjackets for 26-24 and a 2-0 lead.

Starting with a solo block from Ward, the Yellowjackets opened the third set rolling off five straight points to take command. Western Oregon fought back with two hard struck ball and a touch kill to the open court. The Yellowjackets countered with two, but WOU tied the score with two quick kills from Short.

Fighting for control, the Wolves stuck tough for two more, but MSUB engaged on a 3-1 run to draw within one, 14-13.

Albertson punched a ball through the block to tie the score at 16.

Last minute, MSUB pushed back for 20-19. A service error from the Wolves, gave the Yellowjackets a chance at 22-21.

Ward on the outside responded and Albertson won the tying point for the ‘Jackets at 22. Using their last timeout of the set, the Wolves called for a break.

On the attack, Vandenkooy crushed the ball, but Albertson was able to counter on her 10th kill of the match. Paige Kelsey gave WOU a set point, but this time it was Siemion on her 10th kill of the match evening the score at 24.

A service errors from MSUB provided WOU with another set point, and coming through for her team, Short delivered the final point for 26-24.

THE BUZZ: Siemion picks up St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Match after battling back from an injury the junior was a force on the court for MSUB tonight…Williams is on a 6-match streak with 30 or more assists…Ward and Miranda McConnell both had two blocks for MSUB… both teams committed six service errors in the match.

UP NEXT: MSU Billings returns to the court for conference action Saturday, Oct. 17, against the GNAC’s newest member Concordia (Ore.). The Yellowjackets are hosting their annual Think Pink Night sponsored by St. Vincent Healthcare and the EVA Project. All fans are invited to wear pink to the match in support of breast cancer awareness month.

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