ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University Volleyball team's regular season came to a close with all five seniors on the floor, as the Wildcats swept Montana State Billings (25-13, 25-17, 25-13) on Senior Night.
 
"That was fun," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said afterward.   "These guys work really hard. Hopefully are not ready to say goodbye yet. We wanted to make sure to have all those seniors our there for the final point and we talked earlier before the game that the best way to represent these seniors tonight was to go out and play a clean game."
 
The Yellowjackets came out and took a 4-1 lead, but the Wildcats quickly snuffed it out with a five-point run to pull ahead 6-4. 
 
Billings reclaimed the lead with three consecutive points, 7-6.  Once again Central went on a run, this time collecting three straight points and a 9-7 lead.  The Wildcats did not look back in the first set, while the Yellowjackets did not hold another lead or even the score.
 
The set ended with a eight-point run with two kills from Kaitlin Quirk and Jordan Deming each.  A service ace from Linden Firethorne, as well as a kill, and two attack errors by Billings closed the first set.
 
Eight different Wildcats recorded kills in the match.
 
"We wanted to make sure everyone was available so Catie could make decisions," Andaya added.  "The last couple of matches we were a bit predictable so we were sharper in transition and middles worked harder to get up and our passing was better and we got to run some more stuff and kept us pretty balanced."
 
Central stormed out to a 7-3 lead in the second, but Billings battled back with four consecutive points, leveling the score.
 
A five-point run by the Wildcats gave them an 11-7 lead; two of those points came off kills by Kiah Jones. 
 
Later in the second a kill by senior Ashtyn Mann started a seven-point run, putting the Wildcats up 23-13.  With the score at 21-13 Rachel Hanses made a pair of diving plays to keep the rally and point streak alive.  Central took the set 25-17.
 
Billings started strong in set three with a 4-1 lead, but the Wildcats battled back with five consecutive points for a 6-4 lead. 
 
The Yellowjackets took four of the next five points, gaining an 8-7 advantage.
 
Central reclaimed the lead, 13-12, with consecutive points, including a service ace from Lindsey Milner.
 
Montana State Billings kept the set close as it neared completion, pulling the score within one 21-20. 
 
Catie Fry set Erin Little who found space on the floor for a kill and 22-20 advantage for CWU.
 
A service ace by Hanses brought the Wildcats within two points of their 20^th victory of the season.
 
Billings did not leave without a fight, picking up two consecutive points, bringing the set score to 23-22.
 
Mann recorded her fifth kill and brought the Wildcats to match point. 
 
After a kill by Billings' Ashlynn Ward, the Wildcats regular season came to a close on a block by Firethorne and Quirk.
 
"There's nothing quite like playing a college sport and the bond you create with everyone," Hanses said afterward.  "You go through hell and back with these girls and you learn to grow with each other."
 
Deming finished the match with nine kills and 11 digs.  Quirk totaled eight kills and six blocks.  Hanses recorded 11 digs.  Mann finished with five kills.  Firethorn added six kills, six digs, and two block assists.  Fry dished out 33 assists, four kills, five digs, and three block assists.
 
"Rachel and Jordan saw the game really well tonight," Andaya said.  "Billings was out of system a lot but they were still swinging hard, and when you're aggressive like that anything can happen on the block. Our defenders were reading the attack and making the plays."
 
The Wildcats finished the season with a 20-7 record and a 16-4 mark in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
"I was really happy with our defensive efforts, we need to make sure our block is present at all times and our defenders made plays in the back," Andaya noted.  "It created more chances for us which helps out."
 
The NCAA will release the Regional tournament lineup on Monday.  The Wildcats look to make their fourth-consecutive regional berth.
 
"Tonight helps, we don't have what they consider a bad loss, so hopefully we can feel good about going into Monday's selection show and make plans, but anything can happen, like I said to the girls," Andaya acknowledged.  "They had a great year and hopefully we can continue to play ball."
 
With the regular season concluded, the long-lasting impact of Central Washington University and being a Wildcat was not lost on the senior class.
 
"It changes who you are as person for the better," Hanses added.  "It teaches you responsibility and how to be patient and how to work well with people.  I wouldn't trade my experience for anything."