Box Score vs. Cal State Stanislaus
Box Score vs. #25 UC San Diego

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (Sept. 7) -- Junior Emmy Dolan (Castle Rock) led a hot-hitting offensive attack in the opening match, and a high-powered blocking attack helped turn away nationally-ranked UC San Diego as the Central Washington University volleyball team won both of its matches on the opening day of the Seawolf Spike on Friday at Sonoma State University.

The Wildcats (5-1) eased past California State University, Stanislaus, 25-17, 25-17, 25-15 on Friday morning before defeating 25th-ranked UCSD 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22.

CWU vs. Cal State Stanislaus
Dolan hit .500, netting 11 kills in 18 attempts with two errors, as the Wildcats had a .337 team hitting percentage in their sweep of the Warriors. CWU had its most efficient hitting set of the match in the second, when they totaled 15 kills and hit .483 as a squad. The Wildcats' kill totals were nearly identical in all three sets, totaling 15, 15, and 14, respectively.

CWU head coach Mario Andaya, who earned his 250th career victory on Friday, said it was an all-around team effort that helped his team be successful against CSUS.

"Our ball control kept a lot of pressure on (Cal State Stanislaus) and allowed us to run a balanced offense," Andaya said. "Emmy (Dolan) was tough to stop, and (freshman) Rachel (Hanses) grinded out some tough kills for us in key moments. (Senior) Devin (Larson) did a great job distributing the ball and keeping us balanced."

The Wildcats' two starting outside hitters, Hanses (Yakima/West Valley HS) and senior Marcy Hjellum (Kennewick/Kamiakin HS), combined for 17 kills and both around the .350 mark in terms of hitting percentage. Hjellum totaled nine kills and hit .348, while Hanses added eight kills and was at an even .350. Hjellum also led the team with 14 digs.

Larson (Mukilteo/Kamiak HS) and freshman Catie Fry (Tacoma/Mount Si HS) split time as the Wildcats' setter and each totaled 17 assists in two sets played.

Eva Chafeh led Cal State Stanislaus (2-3) with 11 kills.

CWU vs. UC San Diego
The Wildcats led 22-19 before UC San Diego rallied to steal a first-set win, but CWU responded in a big way in the second set en route to a four-set victory over the Tritons.

CWU dropped the opening frame by a 25-23 count before earning a commanding 25-14 win in the second set. The Wildcats then escaped with narrow set victories in the third (25-23) and fourth frames (25-22).

A healthy blocking attack, which totaled a season-high 20 blocks, and solid passing from the back row helped set CWU up for the victory.

"Erin (Smith), Catie (Fry), and Kaitlin (Quirk) were huge at the net for us, getting key stops all match," Andaya explained, referring to the Wildcats' front-row presence.

Fry and Quirk (Ellensburg) were each credited with nine total blocks, while Smith (Selah) added seven totals, including two solos, as CWU helped keep UCSD to a .100 hitting percentage in the match.

The Wildcats' offensive efficiency cooled off against the Tritons, but all six starters had at least four kills each as they combined for all 49 of the team's kills in the match. Hanses (12 kills) and Smith (11) led the way offensively, but again, Andaya said that it was his team's passing efforts that helped key the win.

"After a shaky first set, our passing came through for us. Kaely (Kight), Zoe (Iida), and Lauren (Herseth) were all handling some tough serves (from UCSD), which ultimately was the key to the match.

"This was a great regional win for us, that will hopefully pay dividends for us down the road," Andaya concluded.

Sara McCutchan had 11 kills and six blocks to lead UC San Diego (3-3).

CWU has two more matches scheduled for Saturday at the Seawolf Spike, taking on Chico State at 9 a.m. and tournament host Sonoma State (ranked 23rd nationally) at 1:30 p.m.