Boxscore

NAMPA, Idaho - Freshman Kaitlyn Tuholski recorded a triple-double tonight as the Northwest Nazarene volleyball team defeated Montana State University Billings in four sets 24-26, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-19 in the home opener for the Crusaders at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.

 

Tuholski's triple-double is the second one of the season for the Crusaders, following Michelle Terpstra's effort in the opening match of the season in Hawaii, and just the 24th in the history of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  She totaled 12 kills, 24 assists and 12 digs.

 

"On a night that I felt like we were grinding our gears instead of shifting smoothly, it was nice to find a way to be successful," commented NNU head coach Jared Sliger.  "And it's always nice to play in front of a home crowd that is worth three or four points a set."

 

"It was fun to see Kaite assert herself in so many different areas and I thought Carly (Dranginis) was the physical force that I know she can be," Sliger added.

 

Dranginis posted a match-high 18 kills for the Crusaders, hitting .390 in the process, and Kailey Trautmann hustled for a match-best 30 digs.

 

NNU improves to 2-1 in GNAC play and 4-3 overall, while MSU Billings falls to 0-1 in conference and 6-4 on the season.

 

Krista Norris led the Yellowjackets with 13 kills and Brooke Tolman handed out a match-high 36 assists.

 

The Crusaders will be back in action on Saturday night, hosting Seattle Pacific University at 7 p.m. in a GNAC counter.