September 29, 2007 

Lady Jackets Notch GNAC Win, 3-1
Box Score
MSUB Season Stats

BILLINGS, Mont. – Just two days after having a five-match winning streak snapped, the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets were dominating in a 3-1 win over Central Washington Saturday night.  The Jackets hit a solid .248 over the four games, winning 30-22, 25-30, 30-22, 30-20.

MSU Billings improved to 12-4 overall and 6-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The win kept them within at least a game of the GNAC leaders pending Saturday’s West Coast matches.  Central Washington dropped to 5-11, 4-3.

The Yellowjackets’ only hiccup came in the second game when they were held to a .057 hitting percentage.  They had little trouble in the other three games, posting percentages of .500, .216, and .320.  The Yellowjacket defense set up the attack, out-digging the Wildcats 47-35 and out-blocking them 16-11.

“Right away Stefania (Aladjova) did a good job spreading the ball around, and we got our offense in a rhythm,” said Yellowjacket coach Sara Schaub.  “In practice this week we worked on being smarter hitters so we didn’t make as many unforced errors.”

Three Yellowjackets posted double-digit kills off Aladjova’s (Sofia, Bulgaria) 44 assists.  Alicia Cazemier (Vauxhall, Alberta) led the way with 15 kills on a .478 hitting percentage.  She had just four errors in 23 attempts.  Jennifer Boe (Casper, Wyo.) and Devon Crotteau (Casper, Wyo.) each knocked down 14 kills.  The Jackets’ .248 match hitting percentage was their third-highest of the season.

Cazemier led the Jackets’ block, posting four solo blocks and seven block assists.  Katrina Solomon (Billings) was in on five blocks, and Aladjova and Jessica Lechner (Pompeys Pillar) each had four.

“Alicia stepped up in the senior captain role and led our team,” said Schaub.  “We also had a good night out of Katrina.  Along with her solid setting, Stefania had a great night serving.  Her five aces came at key points, and even when she wasn’t scoring with aces her serve kept them off balance.”

Crotteau and Boe each notched double-doubles for kills and digs.  Crotteau had a match-high 15 digs while Boe finished with 10. 

“Both of our outside hitters did a good job of being aggressive throughout the whole match,” Schaub said of the Casper duo.  “They didn’t have great percentages, but they were key for us tonight.  Overall we came out fired up and ready to play.”

The Wildcats were led by 13 kills apiece from Rachael Schurman and Kady Try.  Schurman was also in on seven blocks.  Erika Stevens had a team-high 10 digs.  The Wildcats had a .052 hitting percentage for the match, including a -.097 percentage in the third game.

The Yellowjackets step out of GNAC play next Tuesday when they play at Rocky Mountain College.  MSUB will play at Seattle University on Oct. 6.