NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene volleyball went toe-to-toe with the visiting Montana State Billings Yellowjackets on Thursday night, going five sets but falling to MSUB 3-2.
How It Happened
- The Nighthawks came out strong in the opening set, hitting .286 and recording a 72% sideout percentage en route to a 25-18 victory.
- The Yellowjackets fought back in sets two and three, managing to hold on for late victories in both as they were closer than the opener, 25-19 and 25-22.
- Set four was all NNU, as they hit .385 and achieved sideout 81% of the chances. The Nighthawks went up big early and never looked back, taking a 25-15 win.
- The momentum would not carry over to the fifth frame, however, as MSUB opened the set on a 6-1 run that the Nighthawks could not recover from. The visitors held on for a 15-9 win to take the match.
Nighthawks Notes
- Tayler Markland led the Nighthawks with 14 kills, hitting .233 in the match while also recording five block assists.
- Natalie Sullivan was next with 12 kills, followed by Anna Gable with 11. Gable also led the team in both blocks (6) and attack percentage (.348).
- Caroline McMahon notched her eighth 20+ dig effort of the season, including five of the last six matches, with 21 on the night.
- Mckenzie Lee eclipsed 40 assists for the eighth time this year as well, four shy of her season-high with 46.
- Fifth sets have not been kind to the Nighthawks this season, as they are now 0-5 when playing a deciding fifth frame.
Up Next
NNU will wrap up their 2021 campaign on Saturday when they host Seattle Pacific for Senior Day at 1:00 p.m.
