ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University volleyball team put up a dominant performance in front of a large crowd in Nicholson Arena on Saturday, sweeping Montana State Billings convincingly (25-13, 25-16, 25-8).
 
NOTABLE STATS
The Wildcats were clicking on both sides of the ball today, recording an impressive attacking percentage of .343 while holding Montana State Billings to .029.
 
Ellie Marble continues to impress, leading the 'Cats with 14 kills on a .433 attacking percentage, adding 11 digs for a double-double and three service aces. Emma Daoud-Hebert continued to stay efficient with nine kills on 14 attacks.
 
Tia Andaya had another double-double with 25 assists and 10 digs, adding five kills. Hannah Stires led the Wildcats with 17 digs. Mikayla Uhlenkott made her first collegiate appearance, picking up a solo block late in the third set.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"We responded well offensively tonight and were able to sideout efficiently. I thought we brought a lot of pressure from the service line which allowed us to settle in defensively. Everyone contributed today to keep us operating at a high level. It was a good win for the homecoming crowd."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
With Stires at the service line, the Wildcats took a quick 5-2 lead in the first set. Later on, Andaya and Kylie Thorne would combine for multiple kills to force an MSUB timeout at 12-4. The Wildcats forged on, expanding the lead to 23-9. The Yellowjackets put together a small run, but it fell short as Andaya iced the first set with a booming kill.
 
Tied early in the second set, Marble and Thorne combined for five straight points as MSUB took their first timeout of the set at 9-4. Another five-point run forced the Yellowjackets to take their second timeout early at 14-5. CWU stopped Montana State Billings from stringing more than three points together and a Shaunessy Fisk service ace ended the second frame 25-16.
 
Momentum continued for the Crimson and Black into the third set as the Wildcats held and 8-2 lead. The offense stayed efficient, propelling the team to a 20-8 lead. That would be it for MSUB as the CWU defense forced multiple late attack errors to clinch the set and the game, sending the Nicholson Arena crowd home happy.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats (13-6, 7-4 GNAC) will be back on the road next weekend with games at Saint Martin's and Western Oregon slated for next Thursday and Saturday.