BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket volleyball team fell to 7-14 on the year, getting ousted by the 2nd-place Wildcats of Central Washington (11-6, 9-2 GNAC) by a score of 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-17).
 
After beginning the first set down 8-1, the scrappy Yellowjackets would fight back to get within two points at 21-19 before the Wildcats would take the set 25-20. Senior outside hitter Jahsita Fa'ali'i came out on a mission, recording four kills in the opening set which was a team-high. The 'Jackets had three service aces in the first set, keeping the Wildcats out of system and forcing tough swings while allowing them to spark the comeback. After a Fa'ali'i kill to bring the score to 23-20, the Wildcats would score back-to-back points and grab the first set. The second set saw the 'Jackets get off to a slow start again, falling behind 8-2 and the Wildcats would ride that momentum the entire set to claim a 25-12 victory. Sophomores Bailey Nichols (3 kills) and Julia Gordon (2 kills) led the way for the 'Jackets in set two, but the Wildcats offense was on fire, hitting .583% en route to claiming a 2-0 lead. The third set seemed to have the same script - the Wildcats came out hot, jumping out to a 9-3 lead and seemed to be hitting on all cylinders. However, after a Yellowjacket timeout, the home team would respond with a quick 3-1 run to keep things tight. The 'Jackets were figuring it out on defense, holding Central Washington to their lowest hitting percentage in the final set, but the senior-laden team was just too much and finished the match with a straight set victory.

 
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "We had to make some adjustments due to injuries, but I am proud how our team battled. We need to start sets better, but we showed some good fight at times throughout the match. Obviously the result is not that we wanted, but there are some positives to take away and we look forward to getting back to it next week."
 
 
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Julia Gordon (9), Jahsita Fa'ali'l (8), Bailey Nichols (8)
ASSISTS: Addie Allen (16), Emma Fa'alogo (11)
DIGS: Christine Funk (14)
BLOCKS: Aliah Williams (2)
 
THE BUZZ: Christine Funk was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game after recording 14 digs on the match.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team heads to Alaska to continue GNAC play on Thursday, October 31st vs Alaska Fairbanks at 9pm (MT).