ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University volleyball team succumbed to No. 15 Western Washington University in three straight sets (19-25, 22-25, 20-25). The Wildcats fall to 14-10 overall and 10-6 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches. The Vikings improve to 17-7 overall and 13-3 in conference play.
 
"The second set was tight and we hoped it was going to be a tight match, a highly contested match, and that is what set two was," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  "Towards the end we had some fundamental breakdowns which are uncharacteristic and we can't have those against a team like that."
 
A 6-1 run by the Vikings to kickoff the first stanza forced Andaya to burn his first timeout earlier than anticipated. The Wildcats responded well, tallying a 3-0 run of their own to close the gap behind kills by Erin Little, Jordan Deming and Kiah Jones.  
 
Trailing 12-18, Sabrina Wheelhouse and Deming provided the spark Central needed, recording back-to-back blocks to cut WWU's lead to 18-14.
 
"The middles did a nice job when we could get them involved," Andaya noted.  "They have the desire to be part of the offense more, but until we can get them the ball more they get pick up points for us on the overfeed and off the block."
 
The Wildcats and Vikings found themselves battling through the remainder of the first set. Western Washington began to pull away following a block by Madison Weg and Wheelhouse at 18-22 in favor of the Vikings. WWU strung together a 3-1 run to close out the first set 19-25.
 
Central stormed out to a 6-2 lead in set two. After the Vikings battled to a 8-8 score, a timely block by Shelby Mauritson and Wheelhouse gave the Wildcats the advantage once again.
 
A back and forth battle ensued, with both teams assuming the lead on several occasions. Following the 14th tied score of the set; momentum began to swing in Western Washington's favor with two kills by Kayleigh Harper en route to a 3-0 run. The Vikings claimed five of the final seven points to capture the 25-22 set victory.
 
The Vikings claimed a quick 10-4 lead in the third stanza. Wheelhouse and Weg recorded two kills each to halt Western Washington's run and close the gap to 19-15.
 
Western Washington would breeze to the 25-20 match victory with kills by Harper and Michaela Hall.
 
Mauritson finished the match with eight kills, seven digs and an impressive hitting percentage of 0.385. Jones added eight kills to her season totals Kyla Morgan led all Wildcats with 16 digs. Nikki Cook recorded 18 assists, while Gabrielle Aihara picked up seven assists and five digs.
 
Central Washington will travel to Fairbanks, Alaska on Nov. 10 to battle the University of Alaska Fairbanks.