BILLINGS, Mont. – Setter Ellen Floyd dished 42 assists to lead a balanced offense and libero Talia Leauanae made a team season-high 25 digs Saturday to power No. 24 Alaska Anchorage to a 25-18, 27-25, 25-19 volleyball victory over Montana State Billings at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

After having their eight-match winning streak stopped Thursday at Seattle Pacific, the Seawolves (16-6, 9-1 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) got seven or more kills from all five of their primary attackers, led by 12 kills from Eve Stephens and a career-high-tying 11 kills from Vera Pluharova.

The Yellowjackets (8-12, 4-7), coming off a 5-set upset of Alaska Fairbanks, were led by nine kills and four total blocks from Joelle Mahowald, but were outhit .243 to .078 and outdug 56-44.

"We got some great back-row play, especially from Talia, who had some spectacular digs that made the difference in set two," said UAA head coach Chris Green. "Offensively, we were able to overcome some of our errors, and Ellen did a terrific job of spreading the ball among our hitters."

Despite trailing 12-9 in the opening set, the Seawolves stormed back to take early command. With the Yellowjackets ahead 13-12, UAA blasted five kills in a six-point span, including three from freshman Mahala Kaapuni. Billings crept back within 20-18 late, but the Seawolves got a block from Floyd and Akor Maywin to spark a 5-0 ending run.

The second set was an epic affair that featured 15 ties and 10 lead changes. UAA led 22-20 before Jahsita Fa'ali'i's kill capped a 4-1 Billings surge, giving her team a 24-23 edge. Floyd found Pluharova for a solid kill to keep the Seawolves alive, though, and Lisa Jaunet gave UAA the lead with one of her eight kills. Tied 25-25, Floyd found Jaunet for consecutive kills and a two-set advantage.

UAA jumped to a 10-2 lead in the third set and hung on despite a pair of big comeback attempts by Billings.

Floyd added 12 digs and a pair of block assists, Kaapuni had nine kills, and junior middle blocker Akor Maywin tallied seven kills on .545 hitting and four total blocks.

The Seawolves also got a boost from freshman defensive specialist Makana Eleneki, who had career bests of seven digs and two aces, while committing no reception or service errors.

Saturday's win was UAA's sixth straight over the Yellowjackets and their 11th straight in Billings. It also guaranteed the Seawolves of their 14th consecutive winning season, extending the program record.

The Seawolves face a major home test next week when they host fellow GNAC title contenders Simon Fraser on Thursday (7 p.m.) and Western Washington on Saturday (7 p.m.) at the Alaska Airlines Center. Surf to GoSeawolves.com for tickets and Alaska Airlines Center parking information. Masking is required of all attendees.