Box Score

ELLENSBURG (Sept. 22) -- Junior Emmy Dolan (Castle Rock) finished with 16 kills, and senior teammate Marcy Hjellum (Kennewick/Kamiakin HS) added 15 kills, 12 digs, and seven blocks as the Central Washington University volleyball team upset 13th-ranked Western Washington University, three sets to one, on Saturday night at Nicholson Pavilion.

The Wildcats, who were among “others receiving votes” this week in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II poll, improved to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play following their third win over a top-25 team this season. CWU has also notched wins over Metro State and UC San Diego, who were ranked 13th and 25th, respectively, when the two teams played.

“This was obviously a big match for us,” CWU head coach Mario Andaya said. “I am proud of how we competed. Our crowd was pumped and made for a great atmosphere to play in.”

Dolan had a .481 hitting percentage, notching 16 kills with three errors in just 27 attempts. Hjellum, meanwhile, challenged triple-double numbers after leading all players with seven assisted blocks. Her 12 digs were second-most on the team, trailing only sophomore Kaely Kight (Spokane/Mead HS), who had 18. As a team, CWU finished with a robust .318 hitting percentage -- the highest by a WWU opponent this season.

“Offensively, Emmy and Marcy were our rocks tonight,” Andaya continued. “Emmy was on fire, but that is the type of performance we expect from her every day. She works so hard and (her performance tonight) shows that she is getting comfortable in big moments.”

The match was close throughout, as the two teams traded three-point wins in the opening two sets. However, CWU responded by leading start to finish in the third set, and then used a 7-0 run in the fourth set to turn a 13-13 tie into a decisive 20-13 margin. Western Washington (10-2, 3-1 GNAC) closed to within four points at 22-18 before the Wildcats scored three straight points -- two on kills from their middle blockers -- to seal the second consecutive home win in the series with the rival Vikings.

Junior middle blocker Erin Smith (Selah) finished with eight kills and six assisted blocks, while redshirt freshmen Rachel Hanses (Yakima/West Valley HS) and Kaitlin Quirk (Ellensburg) added six kills apiece. Smith and Quirk were also credited with six total blocks as the Wildcats held a 12-6 edge in total blocks.

Western Washington had three players with 10 or more kills, led by the match-high 21 from senior Marlayna Geary. Geary also had 10 digs and a match-best three service aces while hitting .311.

“We know we are capable of playing at a high level,” Andaya concluded, “but the challenge is to be able to sustain that high level against all opponents. We will certainly enjoy this victory, but it's back to work on Monday to prepare for next week.”

Central Washington will return to the road for its two matches next weekend, traveling to Seattle Pacific University on Thursday (Sept. 27) and to Montana State University Billings on Saturday (Sept. 29). The Wildcats' next home match is a non-conference tilt versus Walla Walla University on Oct. 2.