The Retort

Vikings Sweep Yellowjackets, 3-0

October 23rd, 2009 by MSUB Athletics For The Retort

Western Washington’s attack was superb but its defense was better, hitting .314 and coming up with 49 digs and six blocks, sweeping Montana State Billings (25-22, 25-20, 25-18) Saturday evening at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The Yellowjackets were led by Devon Crotteau who accumulated 15 kills and nine digs with a .306 hitting percentage, while Jen Boe had 10 kills as did Melissa Porter, who also hit .333 for the match. Jill Trabing had a match-high 15 digs as Hillary Morrison accounted for 37 of the 38 assists.

The Vikings came out and set the tone early, extending the lead by as much as seven at 17-10. The Yellowjackets tried to mount a comeback, reeling off six-straight points to close the lead to one with kills from Boe and Porter and numerous hitting errors by the Vikings. MSUB found itself tied at 21 with Western before Bailey Jones recorded one of her 10 kills on the night to give the Vikings the lead for good.

After being tied at 12-12, Western used a small four point run to take the lead and finished off the set with a kill from Emily Jepsen. The Vikings hit .296 in the set while holding MSUB to .111 hitting.

The third set was all Western, building an eight point lead early on and managing to keep MSUB at arm’s length distance to take the set and the match. Western hit .385 in the set, recording 18 kills against three errors.

The win moved the Vikings to 14-7 on the year and 7-3 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. It was the third-straight win for the Vikings and keeps them in the hunt for the league title. They were led by Jepsen’s 14 kills and five digs. Also contributing was Marlayna Geary with 11 kills and seven digs, while Allison Gotz collected 14 digs as Laurie Yearout recorded 39 assists.

MSUB fell to 11-10 on the season and 4-5 in the conference. As a team, the Yellowjackets hit .174 with 40 kills and recorded 47 digs and two blocks.

Next up, the Yellowjackets travelled to Lacey, Washington for a match-up with Saint Martin’s on Thursday, October 22. They continue the road trip two days later, October 24, taking on Western Oregon, in Monmouth, at 7 pm.