BILLINGS, Mont.—The Central Washington volleyball team picked up the GNAC's first win of fall 2021 with a 3-1 win over the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets.

"What a great GNAC road win. MSUB is plays very physical and with good energy so we really had to endure some problems in a tough environment. We didn't hit well but we stabilized at the right times and sorted out a win. MSUB blocked well and had a lot to do with our efficiency. MacKenzy Borek was terrific offensively and came through with some big points." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

The Wildcats came out strong, matching the Yellowjacket's play for play bringing the opening set to an early tie at 8-8. The 'Jackets broke out a four-point scoring streak until Marianna Payne came out of a timeout swinging, making it 12-9 in favor of the 'Jackets.

The 'Cats stayed strong, a pair of kills and assists by Ashley Kaufman and Sydney Remsberg kept them in the set while the 'Jackets still led 16-13.

Leanna Shymanski provided three consecutive kills in favor of the 'Cats late in the set, but ultimately the 'Jackets took the first set 25-23.

The second set kicked off with two back-to-back three point runs by the 'Cats giving them an early 6-2 lead. The 'Cats capitalized on a series of errors by the 'Jackets, adding in a kill from MacKenzy Borek to hold their lead 14-7. The 'Cats had found themselves on a roll, Tia Andaya and Sydney Remsberg went back-to-back to further their lead, 23-14. Tia Andaya took it upon herself to close out the second set in commanding fashion with a kill assisted by Hannah Stires, 25-15.

In the third set, the 'Cats came out with even more energy then last set. Four consecutive kills with an attack error by the 'Jackets provided an early five-point run allowing the 'Cats to jump ahead 7-2. The 'Jackets began to hit their stride as series of scoring runs finally brought about an equalizer at 16-16.

The 'Cats had grown tired of playing in set three, a 9-2 scoring run capped off with a kill from MacKenzy Borek brought it home in favor of the 'Cats, 25-18.

Sydney Remsberg went on a roll from behind the line to open set four. Three straight service aces and a pair of attack errors provided by the 'Jackets made it 8-3 in favor of the 'Cats. Four consecutive points for the 'Jackets forced the 'Cats into a timeout, but that wasn't enough to slwo them down. Ashley Kaufman and Leanna Shymanski both landed huge kills fresh out of the timeout with a service ace by Sydney Remsberg in between to switch up the offense. The 'Cats led the 'Jackets 19-15.

MacKenzy Borek slammed home her eighth kill of the night, but it was a bad set by the 'Jackets that shut the doors on themselves. The 'Cats took the final set 25-23, giving Central Washington the first win in the GNAC conference for the fall of 2021.