BILLINGS, Mont. (Oct. 20) – The Central Washington University volleyball team picked up a 3-1 road victory over Montana State Billings, improving the Wildcats' record to 12-8 overall and 8-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The Yellowjackets fall to 3-17 overall and 2-9 in GNAC play.
 
In the first set, the Yellowjackets levelled the score midway through at 12-12.  The two sides kept the set close, including multiple ties as the set drew down to the final points.  Kills from Jordan Deming and Kiah Jones brought the set back even, 23-23, but the 'Jackets recorded the next two points to take the set.
 
"I was happy how the team adjusted to what Billings was doing," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  "Their hitters were aggressive and we just stayed course on our block and our back row stepped up."
 
After dropping the first two points of set two the Wildcats battled back.  A three-point run gave the Wildcats their first lead of the set, with a block by Sabrina Wheelhouse and Madison Weg closing the run.
 
Central Washington took points in bunches throughout the second set, including another three-point run to close the set at 25-23.
 
The Wildcats stormed out to a 5-0 lead in set three.  After the Yellowjackets battled to a 14-10 score, Central compiled a six-point stretch and a 20-10 lead.  The Wildcats took five of the final eight points in the third set for a 25-13 set victory, including four consecutive points to end the set.
 
Central continued to put together runs in the fourth set.  A kill from Deming levelled the set at 4-4 before a block by Weg and Wheelhouse, and kills from the same duo, gave the Wildcats a 7-4 lead.
 
Billings brought the fourth set within two a short time later, 12-10, with a kill from Ashlynn Ward.  The Wildcats responded with four consecutive points, including three kills from Jones.  Central claimed five of the last six points for a 25-17 set victory.
 
Deming finished the match with 14 kills, while Jones added 11.  Weg notched 11 kills and posted a hitting efficiency of .579.  Nikki Cook dished out 33 assists, while Gabriele Aihara handed out 21.  Shelby Mauritson notched nine kills and 26 digs.  Kyla Morgan finished with 16 digs.  Erin Little recorded eight kills and eight blocks.  The Wildcats finished with 14 blocks.
 
"Shelby and Kyla were very good and Lindsey Milner got us in system with her passing," Andaya added.  "Our offense is finding a rhythm and we produced tonight which was also a big key."
 
Central Washington is back in action on Thursday (Oct. 27) at Seattle Pacific.  First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.