BILLINGS, Mont. - The Central Washington University Wildcats volleyball team (11-6, 9-2 GNAC) finished off their road trip with a victory over Montana State University Billings on Saturday, Oct 26, sweeping the Yellowjackets 3-0.
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"We played really good defense and created a lot of chances to score. Our floor defenders Shauny, Hannah and Ash led the way and were relentless in extending rallies. K-Shay ran an efficient offense allowing our hitters to put up some big numbers. Good GNAC road win."
How It Happened
The 'Cats defeated the Yellowjackets in three sets by scores of 25-20 (Set One), 25-12 (Set Two), and 25-17 (Set Three). Central was led offensively by Marianna Payne (12 kills), Kennedy Webb (11 kills and 2 service aces), and Emma Daoud-Hebert (11 kills). Daoud-Hebert also led the team in hitting percentage with a .733 average. Kayleigh-Shay Chang led the team in assists as the only Wildcat in that column for the match. Defensively, the Crimson and Black saw a three-player tie for block leader with Scottie Ellsworth, Morgan Halady, and Daoud-Hebert getting 2 blocks each. Hannah Stires' 19 digs kept the 'Cats in the action and the scoring chances going.
The Wildcats shot out of the gate to start the match, going on an 8-1 run. The teams traded points to level out the scoring while CWU kept a steady lead. The Yellowjackets built momentum off a 5-1 run to trail 14-10. The play leveled out again as both teams scored an equal number of points. The 'Cats then scored two to lead by six points, but MSUB answered with three points to make the score 19-16. The Yellowjackets chipped away more at the lead and trailed 20-18. The teams traded chances but Central was able to force set point after a Webb kill. MSUB tried to answer but a bad set by Addie Allen ended the chance for the Yellowjackets as the Crimson and Black took set one 25-20.
The second set began similarly to the first with Central Washington going on an 8-2 run to take the early lead. MSUB attempted to respond, but the Wildcats were hitting strides as the score quickly turned into a 15-6 lead. Both teams had good chances in the middle of the set as they traded points to bring the score to 19-11. However, the 'Cats then hit a five-point streak to force set point. The Yellowjackets answered with a point, but Payne finished off the set with a strong kill to win the set for CWU 25-12.
The early set momentum continued for Central as they began the third set with a 9-3 run. The Yellowjackets chipped away at the lead to make the score 11-7, but the Wildcats then scored four points to lead 15-7. MSUB scored steadily to keep the score as close as possible, but the 'Cats held good pressure and answered most of the Yellowjackets' points with one or two points to build on the lead. MSUB would be able to build some momentum, scoring three straight points to make the score as close as they could at 23-16. Both teams traded a point and then with match point looming, Halady took a quick set from Chang and delivered a striking kill to secure the sweep over the Yellowjackets as the Crimson and Black won set three 25-17
Up Next
The Wildcats return home next to take on the Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks on Saturday, Nov 2. First serve from the Nicholson Arena is at 1:00 p.m.
