ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Montana State University Billings volleyball team battled nationally ranked Central Washington on Thursday night, but the No. 23 Wildcats pulled away for a 3-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory by scores of 25-22, 25-9, and 25-14 at Nicholson Pavilion.
The Yellowjackets (3-12, 0-6 GNAC) opened the match by playing Central Washington close throughout the first set, but the Wildcats ultimately secured the 25-22 win before taking control of the match in the second and third sets. MSUB finished the night with 25 kills on 87 attacks for a .126 hitting percentage, while adding 25 assists, 27 digs, 10 blocks, and one service ace. Central Washington improved to 9-4 overall and 5-2 in GNAC play.
"Emma really led our team out there tonight," said head coach Scott Keister. "She has battled through adversity the last couple of weeks and her hard work on and off the court paid off tonight."
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Emma Fairbairn led the Yellowjackets' attack with 10 kills on 23 swings, hitting .391 for the match. She also contributed one ace, three blocks, and five digs. Izzy Ping added seven kills and two blocks, while Laina Whitney recorded four kills and four blocks. Allie Dorman finished with three kills and four digs, and Mikayla Champlin contributed one kill and one block. Avery Starr directed the MSUB offense with 12 assists, while Aaliyah Gaylord added 10 assists. Avarey Stuff led the Yellowjackets defensively with eight digs, with Fairbairn adding five and Dorman and Champlin each recording four.
The opening set provided MSUB with its strongest offensive performance of the night. The Yellowjackets hit .294 in the frame, recording 14 kills on 34 attacks while committing just four errors. Fairbairn and Ping helped lead the attack as MSUB stayed within reach of the nationally ranked Wildcats throughout the set. The opening frame featured 10 ties and five lead changes before Central Washington closed out the 25-22 victory.
Central Washington gained momentum in the second set, using a strong offensive showing to pull away for a 25-9 win. The Wildcats hit .519 in the frame, while MSUB recorded six kills on 26 attacks for a .077 hitting percentage. Fairbairn led the Yellowjackets with three kills in the set, while Whitney and Ping each contributed blocks as MSUB looked to slow Central Washington's attack.
The Wildcats carried that momentum into the third set and finished the match with a 25-14 victory. Central Washington recorded 16 kills in the final frame and hit .379, while MSUB was held to five kills and a -.037 hitting percentage. Fairbairn and Ping each recorded two kills in the set, while Whitney added two blocks. Central Washington finished the match with 47 kills on 88 attacks and a .409 hitting percentage.
MSUB remains on the road Saturday when it travels to Nampa, Idaho, for a GNAC matchup against Northwest Nazarene. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Johnson Sports Center.
