ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team meets Montana State University Billings in game two of a four-game home stand inside Nicholson Pavilion. The Wildcats and Yellowjackets square off on Thursday at 7 p.m.  
 
GAME INFORMATION
MSU Billings vs. Wildcats
Thursday | 7 p.m. PT
Nicholson Pavilion | Ellensburg, Wash.  
  
LAST TIME OUT
Nicholson Pavilion was loaded with fans of the Wildcats as they hosted Northwest Nazarene University. The Wildcats deleted a 2-0 set lead for the Nighthawks before falling 3-2 (22-25, 24-26, 25-9, 29-27, 11-15) on Tuesday night. 
 
Statistically, the Wildcats owned the Nighthawks throughout the contest. Offensively, the Wildcats drilled 69 kills to the Nighthawks' 52. Gabrielle Aihara and Sydney Remsberg teamed up for 64 assists as Aihara led the way with 33. Defensively, the Wildcats had 15 total blocks and scooped up 87 digs. Ultimately, the Wildcats hindered their own performance by committing 31 attack errors. 
 
Four Wildcats finished the match with double figure kills. Makala Swart had a dominate night for the Wildcats. She led the team with 19 kills on a .250 hitting percentage. Swart added five total blocks with nine digs. Bridgette Webb played well, totaling 12 kills and six total blocks. Ashley Kaufman and Diana Fa'amausili finished with 11 kills. Kaufman added 17 digs for a double-double.
 
Defensively Julia Mellander led the Wildcats with seven total blocks. Kyla Morgan led the team with 27 digs. Remsberg had 13 digs along with 27 assists for a double-double. 

WILDCATS IN THE GNAC
As the season hits its stride, the Wildcats remain near the top of the conference in several categories. The Wildcats rank fourth in conference by keeping opponents to a .179 hitting percentage. They rank fourth in blocks by averaging 2.19 per set. The team ranks third with 17.56 digs per set.

Several individuals are putting together quality seasons for the Wildcats. Morgan ranks second in conference with 5.49 digs per set. Mellander ranks third in conference with 1.14 blocks per set. Fa'amausili ranks eighth in blocks with .92 per set. 
 
Experienced players highlight the offensive standouts for the Wildcats. Aihara's 9.85 assists per set is the third best in conference. Swart ranks fifth in conference with 3.34 kills per set. The team also ranks third in both assists (12.07) and kills (12.93) per set. 
 
SCOUTING MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BILLINGS
The Yellowjackets were selected to finish ninth in the 2019 GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Yellowjackets carried a 13-17 overall record and a 7-13 record in conference play in 2018. The team is moving on from standouts in Miranda McConnell and Izela Alvarez. 
 
Prior to the season, Maddi Vigil was expected to carry the offensive load for the Yellowjackets. She averaged 2.53 kills and 3.19 digs during the 2018 season. Eavan Taylor hopes to build on an excellent freshman season after averaging 1.34 kills and 1.03 blocks per set a season ago. Alexa Smythe was also strong, averaging 5.79 assists per set a long with 33 aces in 2018.
 
The Yellowjackets got off to a slow start in the 2019 season, going 1-7 over their first eight matches. Overall, the team is 4-11 and 2-4 in conference play. The Yellowjackets opened conference play with a 2-0 weekend, taking games against Concordia (Ore.) on Sept. 19 and Western Oregon on Sept. 21.
 
Vigil has lived up to her preseason hype, leading the team with 151 kills over 57 sets played for an average of 2.65 kills per set. Bayli Monck has become an offensive standout as well. The junior is averaging 2.51 kills per set. Newcomer Hannah Hashbarger has become the team's key setter. Hashbarger leads the club with 8.69 assists per set
 
SERIES HISTORY
Since the year 2007, the Wildcats are 19-5 against the Yellowjackets. The Wildcats record at home and on the road against the Yellowjackets are similar. They've gone 10-2 at Nicholson Pavilion while going 9-3 in Billings. One of those three road losses came last season when the Yellowjackets stung the Wildcats in five sets on Oct. 6. The Wildcats responded by sweeping the Yellowjackets at home on Nov. 1. Last year's road stumble is the only one the Wildcats have had in the last 10 matches against the Yellowjackets.