by NAMPA, Idaho. – Montana State University Billings fell to Northwest Nazarene 25-5, 25-20, and 29-27, during the first Great Northwest Athletic Conference road match of the season for the Yellowjackets on Thursday at the Johnson Sports Center.
The first set was a blowout, but the Yellowjackets persevered, scoring 15 more points in the second set than the first, and took the third set into extra points during the conference road loss to the Crusaders.
After recording just four kills in the opening frame, MSUB came roaring back, including overcoming an 18-11 deficit in the third set to take the lead 23-21. In the final frame, Yellowjacket seniors Ashlynn Ward (Standing Rock Sioux) saved three match points and Stormy Siemion one as MSUB fought to win the third set.
With the win, Northwest Nazarene climbs to 9-2 overall and 2-2 in the GNAC. Montana State University Billings falls to 1-11 with an 0-3 conference record.
Ward finished the match with team-highs of 14 kills, including eight in the third set, on a .312 (14-4-32) attack percentage. Siemion recorded seven kills at the net and 10 digs. Senior Kylee Cornelio ended the night collecting a team-high 13 digs with Mataia Robinson adding in another 10.
THE BUZZ: With three match-point saving kills and her ninth match this season with double-digit kills, Ward was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Match.
UP NEXT: MSU Billings continues its road GNAC trip with a match Saturday, Sept. 24, at Central Washington with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST.
