Billings, Mont. - The Central Washington University volleyball team faced a new GNAC opponent for the final time as they took on Montana State Billings. The Yellow Jackets stung the Wildcats, outlasting them in five sets 3-2 (12-25, 25-23, 25-21,17-25, 13-15) on Saturday.  

"I thought we played hard but made some uncharacteristic plays," head coach Mario Andaya said. "The team recognizes those times and moments but for some reason we didn't really get a consistent rhythm. MSUB defended well and played very hard all night. Tons of credit to them. Our effort was high but lacked intention at times, so the hope is we learn from it and get better."

The night looked promising for the Wildcats (14-3, 8-2) as they pounded the Yellow Jackets (10-10, 3-7) 25-12. It was 7-5 when the Wildcats ripped off an 18-7 run. Shelby Mauritson had the kill that sparked the monster run. Sarah Absalonson ended the set with an ace. 

The Wildcats dropped the second and third set before storming back in set number four. It was 6-4 when Mauritson got the Wildcats going again with a kill. An 8-2 run followed. Madison Weg had an ace that forced the Yellow Jackets to call a timeout in the middle of that run. The Wildcats remained unbothered. The offense continued to flow as Sarah Joffs had the set winning kill. 

The fifth set featured a gritty performance from the Wildcats. They trailed 10-6 when Andaya called a timeout. Another Mauritson kill made it a one point game. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the Yellow Jackets needed just one more point. They'd get it on the next play, completing the upset. 

Mauritson and Makala Swart led all players with 19 kills a piece. Mauritson did her damage on a .353 hitting percentage. She added 13 digs to complete an outstanding overall effort for the Wildcats. The offense looked a bit different, as Sarah Absalonson stepped in as the team's setter. She had an excellent night, racking up a career-high 44 assists. 

Defensively, Kyla Morgan stole the show with 39 digs. Weg was the next closest Wildcat with 14 digs. The Yellow Jackets overcame the Wildcats defensive efforts and 33 attack errors to pull off the win. 

The Wildcats GNAC schedule roles over as their face conference foes for the second time this year. A tough test awaits the Wildcats as they travel to Western Washington for a match on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.