LACEY, Wash. – The Saints suffered a heartbreaking five set loss to Montana State Billings on Saturday, despite major offensive performances by Molly Cichosz, Ililani Kamaka, and Alysaa Bartlett.
 
The Saints looked to be on the verge of knocking off Montana State Billings multiple times down the stretch; however, the Yellowjackets managed to find a way to collect the kills they need to escape Marcus Pavilion with a victory.
 
In the first set, the Saints won a nail bitter to a tune of 26-24, clinching the final five of the six points to seal the first set victory. Rachel Gondrezick recorded the final two kills to close out the set in favor of the Saints.
 
A 10-0 run by the Yellowjackets, after trailing by as many as four in the second set, helped MSUB clinch the second set to a tune of 25-20.
 
Montana State Billings managed to rally in the third set to tie the match at 11-11 before SMU rattled off seven straight points to gain an advantage. Multiple service aces by Kamaka and kills by Cichosz fueled the Saints' offensive surge to win the set.
 
The Saints held a 20-19 lead in the fourth set before Montana State Billings was able to connected with their hard hitting lefty in the closing points. The Yellowjackets stormed back to win the set to a score of 25-21, forcing a fifth set.
 
In the closing set, the Saints and Yellowjackets looked evenly matched once again, with score knotted at 11-11. However, the Yellowjackets were able to close out the close match victory to a tune of 15-13.
 
Leading the way was Gondrezick (13 kills), Kamaka (16 kills), Megan Vernoy (14 kills) and Cichosz (13 kills) for the Saints' offense. Bartlett nearly broke her career high with 52 assists, while Courtney Misner ended the match at 22 digs.
 
The Saints travel to Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene for their two matches next week before returning home once again.