ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Montana State University Yellowjacket volleyball team (6-5, 0-2 GNAC) fell 3-0 to the Central Washington Wildcats (5-4, 3-0 GNAC) in Ellensburg, WA.
 
Despite the loss, the Yellowjackets led at the net, outblocking the Wildcats 4-3 and leading in solo blocks 3-0. Offensively, Julia Gordon led the way, posting eight kills and an impressive .444 hitting percentage. Right behind her was Jahsita Fa'ali'i with seven kills, one solo block, and four digs. Another notable performance was Emma Fa'alogo who had eight assists and tied for a team high of six digs, and Aliah Williams recorded her first career solo block in her MSUB career.
 
HEAR FROM COACH WILLIAMS: "Tough match tonight, we took a long time to respond to Central and never really found our rhythm. We did have some bright spots throughout the night with Julia Gordons offense and Aliah stepping up and being effective when she entered the match. We are going to recollect and get back after it this Saturday at NNU."
 
SET ONE
The Yellowjackets got out to a hot start in the opening set, getting ahead to an early 7-2 lead with four of the points coming behind the serve of Christine Funk. From there the Wildcats flipped the script, going on a 9-4 run of their own to tie the match at 11 apiece. Central Washington continued their momentum the rest of the set, and ultimately took it 25-15.
 
SET TWO
It was the Wildcats getting out to an early lead in the second set, getting ahead 5-1 after a trio of kills. The 'Jackets tried to even the score behind Gordon who had a pair of kills in the stretch, but the Wildcats continued to extend their lead. CWU went on an 11-5 run to take an 18-9 lead, forcing MSUB to take a timeout. From there, Central continued to extend their lead, winning the set 25-13.
 
SET THREE
The Wildcats again got out to an early 5-1 lead, but the Yellowjackets quickly answered with three straight points behind a service ace from Avarey Stuff. After another Central Washington run the 'Jackets scored four scoreless points behind the serve of Addie Allen to make it just a 15-11 ballgame. MSUB made it a three-point game late in the set after a trio of kills from Fa'alil'i. Despite the late comeback from the Yellowjackets, Central Washington was still able to take the third set 25-18.
 
STATISTIC LEADERS
KILLS: Julia Gordon (8); Jahsita Fa'ali'i (7)
ASSISTS: Addie Allen (12); Emma Fa'alogo (8)
DIGS: Christine Funk (6); Emma Fa'alogo (6)
SOLO BLOCKS: Aliah Williams (1); Jordin Taulua (1); Jahsita Fa'ali;i (1)
ACES: Jordin Taulua (1); Addie Allen (1); Avarey Stuff (1)
 
THE BUZZ: Julia Gordon was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 8 kills with a .444 hitting percentage and one assist.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings volleyball team stays on the road, heading to Nampa, ID for another GNAC matchup against Northwest Nazarene on September 28^th at 1:00 PM.