FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Despite leading in almost statistical category, the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets 3-1 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest on Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Court. The Nooks went 25-20, 21-25, 19-25 and 24-26 against the Yellowjackets to extend their losing streak to 13 games.
The Nanooks move to 2-19 overall and 1-13 in conference play, while the Yellowjackets improve to 5-19 overall and 3-11 in GNAC games.
As a team, the Nooks led in points (70.0-67.0), kills (63), blocks (5), assists (63) and hitting percentage (.252). MSUB outscored the Nooks in digs (70-69) and aces (6-2). In the first set alone, the Nooks posted an 80% sideout percentage (16-20), the best of the night. The Nanooks' best hitting set was their second, as they posted a .333 hitting percentage.
Junior outside hitter
Angela Molesworth led the Nanooks offense, recording personal-best and game-high 23 kills and a season-high 25.0 points. Molesworth also posted the best hitting percentage of the night with a .346. Junior outside hitter
Maddie Davis and freshman outside hitter
Tatum Upchurch followed Molesworth's performance with 12 kills apiece. Davis posted the only double-double for the Nanooks with her 12 kills and 18 digs.
Junior setter
Rachel Nichols was one assist shy of leading the conference in Saturday's games, as the Riverton, Utah native collected a game-high 53 assists. Furthermore, Nichols chipped in two kills, two block assists and seven digs.
Additionally, Redshirt-senior libero
Meagan Olsen tallied a game-high 22 digs.
The Yellowjackets were led by outside hitter Stormy Siemion, who posted the only other double-double of the game recorded 18 kills and 11 digs. Libero Faith Taylor posted 17 digs while setter Angala Jensen dished 38 assists.
The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team hits the road this week to take on GNAC opponents Western Oregon and Concordia on Thursday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 5, respectively. Both games are scheduled for 6pm AKT.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks volleyball team, follow @NanooksVB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team page on Facebook.
