Seawolves continue win streaks over Yellowjackets

Billings, Mont. (Oct. 3) - Pin hitters Larssen Anderson and Bethany Tuchardt accounted for 19 kills Thursday to help the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team record a 27-25, 25-19, 25-23 sweep of Montana State Billings at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The Seawolves (8-7, 2-3 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) also got 17 digs and a career-high eight assists from junior libero Madison Galloway as they stretched series win streaks to 11 overall and 14 in Billings.

The Yellowjackets (6-7, 0-4) were led by 14 kills from Jordin Taulua, but were outhit .217 to .164 and outdug 55-46.

"That was a nice team effort tonight," said UAA head coach Stacie Meisner. "We stayed steady and aggressive when the score got close late, and were able to close out that last set."

Despite entering with six straight sweeps over the Yellowjackets, the Seawolves had to fight hard, overcoming at least six ties and multiple lead changes in each set.

The opening set was deadlocked nine times, including at each stage from 20-20 to 25-25. MSU Billings opened the door with its sixth service error of the frame, however, and UAA closed it on a block by Tuchardt and Bella Burney.

The Seawolves overcame an early 8-5 deficit in the second and took control when Tuchardt ripped three kills in a four-rally span for a 17-13 advantage. Anderson had four kills on five swings in the second, and Leilani Elder collected three of her four block assists.

UAA threatened to pull away several times in the third set, but Billings sliced a 20-16 deficit to 23-22 on a kill by Taulua. The Seawolves responded with a perfectly executed set from Kadyn Osborne (16 assists, 7 digs) to Katie Birtcil (8 kills, 6 digs) to make it 24-22, before Taulua recorded a kill on UAA's first chance at match point. UAA clinched it when Tia Allen (6 kills, 11 digs) made a midair adjustment to loft a kill just on the other side of the net.

Anderson hit over .300 for the sixth time as the former Dimond High star connected at a .450 (10-1-20) clip, along with two total blocks. Tuchardt managed .389 hitting and four block assists, while freshman setter Hannah Trotter registered all of her career-high four aces in key situations.

The Seawolves conclude their road trip Saturday with a 1 p.m. ADT opening serve at Seattle Pacific. Find links to live video and stats at GoSeawolves.com.

Visit Website