CENTRAL VOLLEYBALL NEARLY COMPLETES RALLY AGAINST LEAGUE-LEADING FALCONS
Wildcats Almost Force Fifth Set After 2-0 Deficit ELLENSBURG (Oct. 8) -- Central Washington nearly rallied from a two sets-to-none deficit to force a fifth set, but the Wildcats' rally fell just short in suffering a 25-12, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24 loss to visiting Seattle Pacific in Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball action on Thursday night at Nicholson Pavilion.
The Wildcats suffered their sixth loss in the last seven matches, falling to 9-8 overall and 1-5 in GNAC play. Seattle Pacific maintains its lead in the conference standings, improving to 11-7 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
After struggling both offensively and defensively in the first set -- the Wildcats had just six kills and a minus-.025 hitting percentage compared to the Falcons' 16 kills and .424 -- Central almost came all the way back from a 19-9 deficit in the second set. Staring at a 10-point deficit, the Wildcats closed to within one at 23-22 and 24-23, using a six-point run behind the service of freshman
Marcy Hjellum (Kennewick/Kamiakin HS) and then a 4-0 run behind senior
Meggie Graf (Selah) later in the set. However, a kill by Sarah Risser -- the 12th of a match-high 22 for the night -- enabled Seattle Pacific to sneak away with a 25-23 set win and a 2-0 match lead.
The third set was a see-saw battle, featuring 14 ties and seven lead changes. Central trailed 22-21 before scoring back-to-back points, and after SPU tied the score at 23-23, consecutive kills by juniors
Bri Gregory (Bremerton) and
Kady Try (Brentwood, Calif./Mead HS) kept the match alive with a 25-23 set victory for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats appeared prime to force a fifth set by leading for most of the fourth frame. After surrendering the first point in the fourth, Central did not trail again until 15-14, after which time it scored four straight tallies to take a three-point advantage at 18-15. Seattle Pacific rallied and the two teams played to a heated battle for the closing points. CWU had set point at 24-22 after Try's 13th (and final) kill of the match, but a kill by Risser and three consecutive Falcon blocks spoiled Central's upset bid.
Each team had two players reach double figures in kills. Norris totaled 17 kills and Try finished with the aforementioned 13 for Central, which totaled 44 as a team and hit just .123. Risser led all players with 22 for Seattle Pacific, while Priscilla Collings sparked the Falcons in a reserve role with 12 kills and a .320 hitting percentage. Risser hit .333 and added 14 digs for SPU.
The Wildcats' most efficient hitter was Gregory, who hit .417 with five kills. She also had a team-high four blocks. Defensively, junior
Brandie Vea (Honolulu, Hawaii/Kalani HS) had 22 digs -- just below her conference-leading average -- while Hjellum added 20 (five more than her previous season total).
Seattle Pacific finished with 61 kills and hit .222. The Falcons totaled seven service aces, outdug the Wildcats by an 83-74 count, and amassed 10 total blocks. Anna Herold led all players with 32 digs for SPU, while Jessica Bettencourt netted six assisted blocks, including one on each of the final three points of the match.
Central Washington will return to action on Saturday night (Oct. 10) against Western Oregon, which will be "Dig Pink" Night on which the Wildcats will wear pink jerseys in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink and will have the opportunity to win prizes and pledge money to supporting breast cancer research. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE: Seattle Pacific def. Central Washington 25-12, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24
