CENTRAL FINISHES SECOND AT SEAWOLF SPIKE
Wildcats Sweep Cal State Stanislaus, Fall to Host Sonoma State in Title Match

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (Aug. 29) -- Junior Kady Try (Brentwood, Calif./Mead HS) had a team-high 10 kills and did not commit a hitting error in 24 attempts, helping lead Central Washington to a 25-10, 25-16, 25-16 sweep of Cal State Stanislaus at the Seawolf Spike Tournament on Saturday. In a battle of previously unbeaten teams, the Wildcats lost to tournament host Sonoma State in three sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-14) to finish second in the 10-team tournament.

Central finished the tournament with a 3-1 record, losing only to the Seawolves in the title match. Senior Erin Norris (Spokane/Mead HS), who totaled 14 aces in four matches, was selected to the all-tournament team.

In the opening match of the day, Try led an efficient Wildcat offense that committed just seven hitting errors in the three-set match. She also finished with eight digs and four assisted blocks as the Wildcats cruised to their most convincing win of the young season. Sophomore Meg Ryan (Spokane/Mead HS) matched her career-high with nine kills, adding eight digs, and the Wildcats racked up 10 service aces in addition to their hitting percentage. Norris and junior Brandie Vea (Honolulu, Hawaii/Kalani HS) had four aces apiece, while Vea added 13 digs.

In the finale against Sonoma State, Central fell behind early and was never able to catch the host Seawolves in the quest for the tournament title. The opening set was the closest of the match, featuring four ties and three lead changes, but the Wildcats surrendered five straight points following a 12-10 lead and were never able to complete a comeback.

Norris and Try were Central's main offensive threats in the match, totaling 10 and nine kills, respectively. Norris was also credited with the only CWU ace in the match. Vea, meanwhile, had a standout defensive performance, totaling nearly half (31) of the Wildcats' 65 digs in the three-set match. She now has eight career matches with 30 or more digs.

Central Washington will return home to host the eight-team CWU Invitational next Thursday and Friday (Sept. 3-4) in Nicholson Pavilion and the Student Union & Recreation Center on campus. The Wildcats open tournament play on Thursday at 3 p.m. against Academy of Art University.

BOX SCORES:
Central Washington def. Cal State Stanislaus 25-10, 25-16, 25-16
Sonoma State def. Central Washington 25-19, 25-17, 25-14