Box Score

ELLENSBURG (Oct. 29) -- The Central Washington University volleyball team rallied from a two sets-to-none deficit against visiting Western Oregon University on Saturday night, but the Wildcats were forced to play behind in the fifth set and eventually lost to the Wolves, 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 19-25, 15-12 at Nicholson Pavilion.

The Wildcats fell to 12-10 overall and 6-8 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, while Western Oregon improved to 11-8 overall and 10-5 in the conference.

After a shaky start, that included a 5-0 Western Oregon run to end the first set and a heartbreaking final three points of the second set that saw the Wildcats fall behind 2-0 in the match, Central Washington rallied from behind with a 7-1 run midway through the third frame, and the Wildcats eventually led by as many as five points late in the third before earning a three-point win and extending the match.

CWU never trailed in the fourth set, taking the lead at 5-4 after the two teams matched each other point-for-point. Junior JORDAN OFFUTT (Leavenworth/Cascade HS) had a pivotal run of five straight serves late in the set to turn a 20-18 lead into set point at 24-18, and a service error by WOU forced the fifth and deciding set.

In the final frame, Central Washington had more kills (5-4) and digs (14-9) than the visiting Wolves did, but WOU capitalized on three blocks and three CWU service errors to escape with the five-set victory. The teams were tied twice in the fifth set, including as late as 6-6, but three straight Western Oregon points put the visitors ahead for good.

Offutt finished as the kill leader for the match with 17, highlighted by a third set in which she had seven kills and a .500 hitting percentage. She was also one of five players in the match to record a double-double with a career-high 11 digs to go with her 17 kills. Sophomore EMMY DOLAN (Castle Rock) complemented the Wildcat offense with 14 kills and a team-best .242 hitting percentage in a reserve role, while senior MEG RYAN (Spokane/Mead HS) totaled 10 kills and 20 digs. Senior setter CARLEE MARBLE (La Conner) finished with 47 assists and 19 digs.

Western Oregon, which totaled 18.5 team blocks, had four players with 10 or more kills. Krissi Kemper ended up leading the Wolves with 16 kills, while Corynn Kopra added 15 and 10 digs. Becky Blees registered 10 kills and a match-high 12 blocks for the Wolves.

Central Washington returns to the road for the final time in 2011 next week, visiting the Alaska schools on Thursday (Nov. 3) and Saturday (Nov. 5). The Wildcats then close out their season with home matches on Nov. 10 and Nov. 12 against Western Washington and Simon Fraser, respectively.