Box Score RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Sept. 12) -- The 13^th ranked Central Washington University volleyball team bounced back from its first loss of the season by sweeping Point Loma Nazarene University 25-21,25-19,25-22 to improve to 6-1 on the season.
 
"We realized last night that we have to compete hard in every game and that every day will be a battle," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya. "The girls embraced this concept and it was good to see them respond to last night defeat."
 
It was obvious in the first set that the Wildcat offense had found their groove as they hit .351 with just one attack error on 37 attempts.  Central Washington led from start to finish in the set and the closest Point Loma got was 22-19, but the Wildcats held on to take the 25-21 set win.  LINDEN FIRETHORNE had six kills in the set with a hitting percentage of .500.
 
"We put our efforts into putting on a better offensive performance today, and that's exactly what happened," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said. "We played solid defense and distributed the ball very well."
 
The Wildcats started the second set in in a 1-4 hole, but responded with a 12-2 run highlighted by four kills by JORDAN DEMING, including a three in a row.  Central Washington built a commanding 18-10 lead in the set before earning the 25-19 set victory.
 
Central Washington trailed just twice in the third, and built a comfortable 7-2 lead.  Point Loma rallied to tie the match at 19-19 and eventually held a 21-20 advantage over the Wildcats.  Four Sea Lions errors later and a kill by KIAH JONES gave the Wildcats the final 25-22 victory in set and a 3-0 sweep of Point Loma.
 
Firethorne again led the Wildcats with 13 kills on 31 attempts, followed by KIAH JONES who had 10 kills on the day.  Central Washington totaled 38 kills on the day, 30 of which came off assists by junior CATIE FRY.
 
As a team, the Sea Lions had 13 more kills than CWU, but the Wildcats outhit Point Loma .286 to .170, and committed 21 less attack errors.
 
The Wildcats will next faceoff with host California Baptist University in their final competition of the GNAC/PACWEST Crossover.