NORRIS' 21 KILLS NOT ENOUGH IN WILDCATS' FOUR-SET LOSS AT NNU
Central Suffers Third Straight 3-1 Loss, Now 0-2 in GNAC Play

NAMPA, Idaho (Sept. 19) -- Senior Erin Norris (Spokane/Mead HS) had a career-high 21 kills and hit at a .357 percentage, but the Central Washington volleyball team suffered its third straight loss, falling 25-20, 24-26, 26-24, 25-15 to Northwest Nazarene in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action on Saturday night at the Johnson Sports Center.

The Wildcats are now 8-5 overall and 0-2 in GNAC action with its third consecutive four-set loss. Northwest Nazarene improved to 9-5 overall and is 2-1 in conference play.

Central led as late as 18-16 in the first set before surrendering nine of the final 11 points of the frame to the Crusaders. The Wildcats responded in the second set, emerging victorious after 14 ties and three lead changes, clinching the set on a block by juniors Kristel Baeckel (Gresham, Ore./Sam Barlow HS) and Kady Try (Brentwood, Calif./Mead HS). The third set featured 17 ties and nine lead changes, but after having set point at 24-23, the Wildcats gave up three straight points to NNU's Cammy Dranginis -- two on kills and one on a solo block.

In the fourth and final set, Central Washington fell behind by scored of 6-2 and 14-5 and was never able to recover in suffering the four-set defeat.

Norris and Try were the two main bright spots offensively for the Wildcats on Saturday, as both finished hitting better than .200 and with 21 and 12 kills, respectively. Try also finished with 17 digs, second only to junior Brandie Vea (Honolulu, Hawaii/Kalani HS), who had 23 digs and Central's lone ace of the match. Sophomore Meg Ryan (Spokane/Mead HS) finished with 10 kills and 16 digs.

Northwest Nazarene was led by Dranginis, who had 18 kills, a .333 hitting percentage, and six total blocks. Becky Flores added 12 kills and hit a sizzling .706 without an error in 17 attempts).

Central Washington returns home to the friendly confines of Nicholson Pavilion next weekend, where it has won all four of its matches this season and has posted a 49-8 record since 2004. The Wildcats host the Alaska schools on Thursday (Sept. 24) and Saturday (Sept. 26), facing Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage, respectively.

BOX SCORE:
Northwest Nazarene def. Central Washington 25-20, 24-26, 26-24, 25-15