Box Score

ELLENSBURG (Oct. 27) -- Sophomore Erin Smith (Selah) had 10 kills and was credited was seven of Central Washington University's nine blocks as the Wildcats rallied to sweep Saint Martin's University 25-23, 25-17, 25-22 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball action on Thursday night at Nicholson Pavilion.

The Wildcats improved to 12-9 overall and 6-7 in GNAC play with their 19th consecutive series victory over the Saints (6-15, 4-10 GNAC).

Smith helped CWU have a strong front-row presence, as the Wildcats' blocking total of nine, combined with 67 digs, helped keep Saint Martin's at a .016 hitting percentage for the match. Offensively, she was a steady and efficient force, tallying four kills each in the first and third sets. Smith finished with a .364 hitting percentage in the match to key the CWU offense.

"We saw a good match up with Erin, and our setters did a good job getting her the ball," CWU head coach Mario Andaya said. "Overall, we didn't hit great, but I think Saint Martin's had a lot to do with that. They are a good digging team, but we persevered offensively and got the job done."

While Saint Martin's was strong defensively -- the Saints lead the GNAC in dig average and finished with 73 digs in three sets -- Central Washington was also efficient defensively. True freshman Kaely Kight (Spokane/Mead HS), who finished with 25 digs including 19 in the first two sets combined, helped the Wildcats accumulate 67 digs as a team and give CWU the opportunity to keep plays alive.

Central rallied from mid-set deficits in the first and third frames, coming back from a 19-15 deficit in the first set by scoring six straight points to take the lead at 21-19. The Wildcats then traded points with Saint Martin's, emerging from a 22-22 tie with back-to-back points, and Smith capped the comeback with a set-ending kill.

The Wildcats had their best defensive set -- and their most comfortable cushion of the match -- in the second set. They forced Saint Martin's into 10 hitting errors and a minus-.093 hitting percentage, while Kight totaled 12 of her digs for the match, and CWU scored the final seven points of the frame to turn a one-point lead into an eight-point victory.

The final set saw Central Washington rally from a three-point deficit at 13-11, but the Wildcats weren't able to get their biggest lead until the 22-17 mark after scoring five straight points. Saint Martin's did close to within two at 23-21 and 24-22, but a combined block by freshman Cheltzie Williams (Twin Falls, Idaho) and sophomore Emmy Dolan (Castle Rock) sealed the sweep for the Wildcats -- their 17th sweep in the 19-match series win streak against the Saints.

Smith and senior Meg Ryan (Spokane/Mead HS) finished with 10 kills apiece, as the Wildcats got their 38 kills from a combined five hitters. CWU overcame a season-high 11 service errors with seven aces, while not allowing Saint Martin's to record an ace for the match.

Kight was the only CWU player with 10 or more digs, as Ryan came one dig shy of a double-double with her total of nine digs. Junior Jordan Offutt (Leavenworth/Cascade HS) matched her career-high with nine digs as well, but finished with just six kills in the match.

Saint Martin's was led by freshman Kristyn Ross with 12 kills and 19 digs. Brianna Bautista led the Saints with 21 digs, while junior setter Cambree Decosta finished with 21 assists and 15 digs.

Central Washington will look to even its conference record this Saturday night as the Wildcats take on Western Oregon University at 7 p.m.