Box Score vs. Chico State
Box Score vs. #23 Sonoma State

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (Sept. 8) -- Junior Erin Smith (Selah) continued her efficient and consistent offensive play, but the Central Washington University volleyball team suffered a pair of losses against formidable competition on the final day of the Seawolf Spike at Sonoma State University on Saturday.

The Wildcats lost to Chico State (6-1) by a 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 score, and then to 23rd-ranked Sonoma State (6-2), 25-16, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22. CWU is now 5-3 on the season, with wins over two nationally-ranked opponents thus far including a four-set victory over #25 UC San Diego on Friday.

Smith, who currently leads the team with a .463 hitting percentage and is averaging 2.73 kills per set, finished with 12 kills, five assisted blocks, and a .409 percentage against Chico State and then posted an identical percentage with 11 kills in the defeat to Sonoma State.

CWU vs. Chico State
The Wildcats had some offensive struggles, hitting below .130 in each of the first two sets, and were unable to overtake the then-undefeated Chico State squad despite a strong blocking effort.

“We didn't come out with our usual energy and had trouble controlling the tempo of our game,” CWU head coach Mario Andaya said. “We created opportunities to score but we didn't hit well, which ultimately cost us. Chico played 'lights-out' defense and kept a ton of pressure on us throughout the match.”

CWU finished with an 11-point edge in hitting percentage and committed 11 fewer hitting errors, but Chico State totaled 12 more kills.

Senior Marcy Hjellum (Kennewick/Kamiakin HS) led CWU with 14 kills and had another double-double by adding 12 digs. Junior Emmy Dolan (Castle Rock) led the Wildcats' blocking efforts with six assisted blocks, while freshman Kaitlin Quirk (Ellensburg) joined Smith with five assisted stuffs.

Chico State had two players with double figures in kills, including a match-high 19 from Alex Shurtz and 18 more from Ellie Larronde.

CWU vs. Sonoma State
After falling behind 2-0, the Wildcats earned a six-point win in the third set and kept things close in the fourth before the host Seawolves earned a four-set victory.

“We knew that Sonoma would be our toughest challenge to date, and they didn't disappoint,” Andaya explained. “They are the most physical team we have faced and we had trouble stopping them. Once we settled down, we actually played well.”

Sonoma State hit a sizzling .304 for the match, including percentages of better than .400 in each of the first two sets. The Seawolves also recorded 13 blocks on CWU attacks, while the Wildcats finished with eight total blocks and a .225 percentage.

Dolan had 12 kills and Smith added 11, as each hit .409 for the match. Sonoma State saw four of its starters record 11 or more kills, including a match-best 14 from Caylie Seitz.

“Although losses hurt, we have to remember that we have (as many as) five freshmen out there playing at a given time,” Andaya concluded. “Overall, I feel that these losses to very good teams will help us to identify our weaknesses and keep us hungry to get better. We know that our conference schedule will be extremely tough.”

That Great Northwest Athletic Conference ledger will begin with yet another extensive road trip next weekend, with CWU visiting the Alaska schools to debut league action. The Wildcats visit Alaska Anchorage on Thursday (Sept. 13) and the Alaska Nanooks on Saturday (Sept. 15). CWU makes its Nicholson Pavilion debut on Sept. 20 versus Simon Fraser University.