LACEY, Wash. - Playing in their final home match of the year,
Ililani Kamaka and
Mackenzie Carter combined for 32 kills to lead Saint Martin's in all offensive categories. SMU secured the win over Montana State Billings for a memorable senior night for lone senior Kamaka in Marcus Pavilion.
Saint Martin's found an offensive rhythm early in the match, with kills from Carter,
Bridgette Bourgouin, and Kamaka to mark a 6-3 lead. The Yellowjackets closed the gap, and eventually tied it up at 8-8. The Saints managed to string together a couple short bursts down the stretch coming alive with their quick tempo offense. After a timeout call from the Saints at 22-18, a 5-2 run earned them a victory in the first set, 25-20.
In the following set, neither team could create momentum with a lead, with scores tied at 5-5 and 10-10. Kamaka responded by serving 10 straight points, three of which being aces, and forced MSUB to call both of their timeouts. The Saints did not let the Yellowjackets come within five to finish out the set with a 25-19 win.
The Saints continued their hot streak with a 9-6 lead to begin the third set; however, were unable to hold this lead. MSUB took the momentum, and carried it to finish out the set 25-22.
The fourth set opened with a quick surge by SMU to take a 7-1 lead, holding this throughout the majority of the set. MSUB tied it up two times at 19-19 and 20-20, eventually gained their first lead at 21-20. With outstanding defense on both sides, Kamaka found the floor two times to make the score 23-21. The teams traded points until Saint Martin's arrived at match ending point off of a kill from Carter.
Carter put down a team-high of 17 kills with 9 digs, just shy of another double-double. Kamaka earned her first double-double of the season, with 15 kills and 10 digs, making that her fourth in her career.
Kylie Alos held the back line with 19 digs while
Alyssa Bartlett acquired 40 assists and 15 digs.
Saint Martin's heads to Alaska next week for their final two matches of the season. SMU squares off against Alaska Anchorage next Thursday at 8:00 p.m. with live stats and video at smusaints.com.
