The Seattle University volleyball team performed well in the first two games, had a slight misstep in the third game, but recovered in the fourth game to defeat Montana State Billings, 3-1 (30-19, 30-23, 22-30, 30-25) Saturday night in GNAC action at the Connolly Center.
Nikole Thompson (, ) led the way for , earning 16 kills, 14 digs, and five service aces along with four total blocks. Libby Graff (, ) had ten kills and three blocks, while Emily Powell () contributed eight kills, two aces, and three blocks and Josie Christensen (Coquille, Ore.) added five kills, four aces, and a team-high six block assists to the winning effort.
The first game was close until the midway point, when Montana State Billings made three consecutive attack errors to help take control. The Yellowjackets hurt themselves, hitting at a negative percentage in game one while also making six reception errors as the Redhawks cruised to the game one victory. Game two went in a similar direction, as took control late and finished off the visitors as the Yellowjackets made ten attack errors in game two.
Coming out of the locker room after intermission, Montana State Billings had new life, making only five attack errors while struggled, hitting only .032 in losing the third game. After three consecutive attack errors early in game four, the Redhawks settled down, as Thompson took control with four kills, two aces, five digs, and two blocks, including the kill that closed out the match.
Freshman setter Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) finished with 44 assists and seven defensive digs, with fellow first-year players Shelly Anderson (Bothell, Wash.) and Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, ) combining for 19 digs. Kelly Benson (, ) and Jessica Gunderson () came off the bench and contributed six kills and one block each.
For Montana State Billings (13-5, 6-3 GNAC), Devon Crotteau led the way with 16 kills, four aces, and 16 digs. Jennifer Boe had 12 kills and 13 digs, Alicia Cazemier earned 11 kills and eight digs, and Stefania Aladjova notched 36 assists, three aces, and six digs.
(7-10, 4-5 GNAC) begins the second half of the conference season with a road trip to face ’s Thursday, Oct. 11, beginning at 7 p.m. The next home game for the Redhawks is Thursday, Oct. 18, against Alaska Fairbanks beginning at 7 p.m. at the .