(MSU Billings release)
BILLINGS - In a Great Northwest Athletic Conference showdown, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Clan of Simon Fraser University.
In an underwhelming performance from both teams, the Clan outhit the Yellowjackets in the match .248 to .121. Both teams were plagued by errors as SFU finished with 16 and MSUB 17. SFU was led by Kirsten Pinkney who finished with 11 kills, Tamara Clarke chipped in 10 kills. Defensive stalwart Bianca Te produced 22 digs to lead all players.
Skylar Reed finished with 11 kills, hitting .250 and was the only ‘Jacket in double digit figures. Junior Joelle Maholwald also hit .250 with seven kills and four block assists. Hannah Hashbarger posted 29 assists, while Bayli Monck led the team defensively with 16 digs. Marissa Logozzo and Maddi Vigil each added eight digs.
The Yellowjackets held the lead in the first set 20-15 after Maholwald’s sixth kill. MSUB pushed their advantage to 23-17 only to see the opportunity slip away with an 8-0 run by the Clan to win the first set 25-23
The story was much the same for the second set as MSUB jumped out to an 8-3 lead early. The Yellowjackets held the lead all the way to 17-12 until again, SFU went on run of 11-5 to take their first lead of the set at 23-22. After splitting the next points, SFU held a set point at 26-25. A block by Clarke and Kalyn Hartman sealed the second set comeback for the Clan 27-25
A slow start to the third set proved fatal for the Yellowjackets. Simon Fraser vaulted ahead to a 10-5 lead and never looked back. A service ace by Te gave the Clan the set victory 25-16 and the match victory 3-0.
“Today was a disappointing match all around,” said head coach Casey Williams. “We couldn’t string very many things together, lacked emotion and lacked energy. We need to rest and get ready for our matches this week.”
Simon Fraser jumps MSUB in the conference standings moving their record to 7-7, 3-3 GNAC. Montana State Billings falls to 4-11, 2-4 GNAC.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets hit the road for matches against Central Washington (8-5, 3-2 GNAC) and Northwest Nazarene (6-6, 2-3 GNAC). MSUB split the season series (1-1) with CWU last year, and swept NNU (2-0).
THE BUZZ: Skylar Reed was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the match for the Yellowjackets. She led the team with 11 kills and was tied for the team led hitting .250 on the day…Montana State Billings falls to Simon Fraser 6-13 all-time with the last win coming in September 2013 for MSUB.
