Nampa, Idaho - The Central Washington University volleyball team did battle with Northwest Nazarene on Tuesday night. The Wildcats nixed the Nighthawks, taking the game 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-20).
Madison Weg had a fantastic night on both sides of the net for the Wildcats (14-2, 8-1). She led all players with 13 kills on an excellent .423 hitting percentage. She seemed to be involved with every key run of the contest. Defensively, the senior out of Lynden, Washington had 13 digs. Shelby Marutison had 11 kills while Makala Swart chipped in with nine kills and a game-high 14 digs against the Nighthawks (4-12, 4-5).
"We played much better offensively which was a key objective coming in," head coach Mario Andaya said. "Maddy had another good performance and showed the other side of her defensive game digging 13 balls. Gaby was solid again and really got our offense clicking. It was good to see us stay determined and consistent all three sets so we continue to show good growth."
The Wildcats trailed 14-13 before scoring four straight points. Weg started the short spurt. The teams found themselves tied at 17 when Swart sparked an 8-3 run. Bridgette Webb had the penultimate kill before the Wildcats got the set win 25-20 on an attack error.
The two teams played evenly through the opening stage of the second set. The Wildcats gained a 22-18 lead when the Nighthawks used their final timeout of the set. Kyla Morgan answered with an ace before the Nighthawks scored a couple. Weg sent down a ferocious kill that had the Wildcats a point away from a set win. They would gain that point on an attack error, and take the set 25-20.
The third set belonged to the Wildcats from the first serve on. They led by as many as eight during the midway point. Appropriately, Weg smashed home a match-ending kill that gave her team the 25-20 set win.
The Wildcats forced a .168 hitting percentage from the Nighthawks, while they converted at .294 clip. The Wildcats were the beneficiary of 20 attack errors by the Nighthawks, an area where they gained a seven point advantage.
The Wildcats enjoy an extended week of practice before taking on Montana State Billings on Saturday at 7 p.m.
