BURNABY, B.C.—The Central Washington Volleyball team was swept 3-0 in their opening road match against Simon Fraser. The Wildcats will head down to Bellingham to take on GNAC rival No. 19 Western Washington before closing out the trip in Nampa, against Northwest Nazarene.

"Simon played very well tonight, and we could not get much going against them. Tough night offensively for us but again Simon had a lot to do with that. We did block well but that can only get you so far." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

Ten blocks for the Wildcats kept them in the match at key points, but a team hitting percentage of .070 wasn't going to be enough to keep up with the GNAC kill-leading Simon Fraser offense.

The Wildcats kept it close in set one, and two big swings on the right side from Marianna Payne gave the 'Cats the early lead 6-5. Simon Fraser answered with a five-point scoring run which ended on a kill from Emma Daoud-Hebert bringing it to 10-7 in favor of Simon Fraser.

Emma Daoud-Hebert landed a big block to keep the game close cutting the deficit to three, 11-14.

The 'Cats continued to claw back, but Simon Fraser found themselves in the driver's seat 21-15 on a kill from Abby Willett. Ashley Kaufman provided the 'Cats final offensive point of the set, as Simon Fraser took the opening set 25-19.

In set two the 'Cats finally found their footing. Alyssa Smith, Ashley Kaufman, and Emma Daoud-Hebert found kills as the 'Cats kept it tied up until 8-8.

Simon Fraser found a pair of scoring runs to run up the lead 12-9, before Emma Daoud-Hebert led the charge with two blocks giving the 'Cats the lead, 13-12.

The 'Cats kept it close, bringing about an equalizer once again at 16-16 on a block from Leanna Shymanski and Marianna Payne. Tia Andaya gave the 'Cats their final earned point in the set with a block before falling 25-20.

Simon Fraser had taken control by the start of the final set. Riding on the energy of their home court, Simon Fraser jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in the final set. Marianna Payne provided a kill after an attack error by Simon Fraser, but a four-point scoring run increased the deficit to 10-3.

Marianna Payne found another kill before Laynie Erickson landed a service ace to keep the 'Cats in it as they cut into the lead 10-7. Simon Fraser began to lose footing, and Ashley Kaufman and Leanna Shymanski kept the 'Cats within three, 13-10.

Emma Daoud-Hebert found a kill and a block alongside Leanna Shymanskis single kill to give the 'Cats their final points of the match.

Simon Fraser overpowered the 'Cats late in the set and took the match, 25-15.