LA JOLLA, Calif. (Sept. 8) – The Central Washington University volleyball team recorded its first win of the season over Point Loma Nazarene University, 3-0, with set scores of 25-16, 26-24, and 25-23.  The Wildcats mounted a pair of comebacks en route to the sweep.
 
"It was nice to see our team capitalize on opportunities and to continue to create scoring chances," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  Our middles worked more efficiently this match which is something they worked hard on this week in practice.
 
The Wildcats gained a quick 4-1 lead in the opening set, but the Sea Lions battled back to a 6-5 deficit.   Four of the next five points went to Central, in part from kills by Shelby Mauritson and Kiah Jones. 
 
The 10-6 lead became a 17-10 lead for the Wildcats.  Point Loma closed Central's advantage to 20-16, but the Wildcats closed the set by taking six consecutive points including kills by Jones, Madison Weg, Maggie McTaggart, and Sabrina Wheelhouse.
 
"Maddy was very good offensively for us," Andaya added.  She brought good energy."
 
Point Loma led the entirety of the second set, down to set point.  The Sea Lions looked to have levelled the match at 1-1, leading 24-18.
 
Erin Little took a set from Nikole Cook and recorded a kill, bringing the set to 24-19.  The next point was also recorded by Little with another kill.
 
"Our setters Nikki and Gaby are looking better and are working to be good court leaders for us," Andaya said of his freshman setters.
 
Trailing 20-24, Mauritson notched another kill.  This brought the Wildcats within three at 24-21.  Little then notched her third kill in four points and the Wildcats were only two points down. 
 
Back-to-back attack errors from the Sea Lions put the Wildcats up 25-24.  Mauritson closed the second set with an emphatic kill for a 26-24 win.
 
Point Loma tried to regain its form in set three.  The Sea Lions came out to a 10-5 led, but another large run by the Wildcats put Central back in the driver's seat. 
 
Trailing 11-6, Central put together six-straight points for a 12-11 lead.  The Sea Lions responded with a five-point run of their own, reclaiming the lead at 16-12. 
 
Point Loma nabbed a 20-13 lead, but the Wildcats were not done yet.  Kills by Weg, Jones, and Little, as well as a PLNU attack error, brought Central within three at 17-20.
 
After exchanging points to 22-18, the Wildcats picked up five consecutive points and a 23-22 lead. 
 
A kill from PLNU briefly leveled the match, before a Bridgette Webb kill and a block by Wheelhouse and Webb sealed the sweep for Central.
 
Jones finished with 11 kills, while Weg notched 10.  Gaby Aihara dished out 20 assists, while Cook picked up 18.  Mauritson and Kyla Morgan each recorded 13 digs, while Lindsey Milner added 12.
 
"Our setters Nikki and Gaby are looking better and are working to be good court leaders for us," Andaya added.  "Kyla and Lindsey extended rallies for us all match and put up some very efficient passes and digs."
 
The Wildcats are back in action Friday (Sept. 9) for a pair of matches against BYU-Hawaii and Cal Poly Pomona.  First serve is at 12:30 p.m. against BYU-Hawaii and 5:00 p.m. against Pomona.