BILLINGS, Mont. – The Saints offense slowly heated up but not quick enough as SMU fell in straight sets to Montana State Billings 25-12, 25-23, 25-23.
 
The Saints (7-7, 1-4) struggled to a -.143 hitting percentage in the first set, but improved to a .140 in the second set, and finally a .279 in the final set. However, the Yellowjackets (6-8, 3-3) never let off the pressure, hitting .351 as a team to pick up the home win.
 
Montana State Billings controlled the set from the first point to the last, using a 9-1 run to quickly establish the tone.
 
Saint Martin's responded well in the second set, opening up with a 5-0 run. The Yellowjackets managed to work down the lead, and eventually take a 12-10 lead. The Saints and the Yellowjackets went back and forth down the stretch but a kill, and an SMU error gave MSUB the second set.
 
MSUB started the third set with an 11-5 lead, but the Saints turned the momentum around with a 6-1 run to cut the lead down to one. The Yellowjackets stretched the lead back out to six at 21-15 but once again the Saints fought back. After scoring four straight, and bringing the lead to 24-23, the Saints' comeback attempt fell short with a kill by MSUB.
 
Kylie Coon led the team with 10 kills, followed by Tia Allen's eight, and Emily Gooding's seven. Analise Hitchcock's 23 assists, and Allen's and Kylie Alos' 10 digs led both categories respectively.
 
The Saints return home on Thursday, October 7 against Simon Fraser at 7:00 PM. Live stats and video of the match will be available on smusaints.com.