ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington volleyball team completed their revenge week knocking off the Seawolves from Alaska Anchorage in three straight sets.
A stellar offense hitting .364 alongside 11 service aces lifted the 'Cats to a sweep over the Seawolves.
"Offensively we're finding a good rhythm. Anchorage didn't have a lot of second chances which is great, and we were really putting the ball away. I think the theme this weekend is our offense is our best defense and our serve-receive and setters were just lights out all weekend. Anchorage puts a lot of pressure on you at the service line, they're flat and pretty hard but
Shaunessy Fisk and
Hannah Stires really held their own.
Sydney Remsberg and
Tia Andaya really delivered some good balls, and I really thought
Leanna Shymanski was exceptional at the net blocking all weekend.
Ashley Kaufman,
Marianna Payne, and
Tia Andaya area just in a groove right now and we're fortunate we had them going this weekend." Said CWU Head Coach
Mario Andaya.
It was over with just the first serve in Nicholson. The 'Cats and Seawolves exchanged blows until kills by
Ashley Kaufman and
Kylie Thorne propelled the 'Cats into a 9-5 lead.
The 'Cats offense held strong, fending off the Seawolves with a pair of kills from
Ashley Kaufman and
Leanna Shymanski to keep it 12-7 in favor of the 'Cats.
A series of errors by the 'Cats allowed the Seawolves to climb back, and a kill from Eve Stephens brought about the equalizer at 16-16.
The 'Cats surprisingly found themselves in the backseat as the Seawolves pulled away to a 24-22 lead on a pair of 'Cats errors. Back-to-back kills from
Ashley Kaufman and
Marianna Payne rocked Nicholson and a bad-set quickly had the 'Cats on the edge of taking set one, 25-24.
Marianna Payne found the open space after a huge dig from
Ashley Kaufman and the 'Cats took set one, 26-24.
Shaunessy Fisk came in big for the 'Cats to start the second set with four-straight service aces. A bad set by the Seawolves and a kill from
Leanna Shymanski meant a 6-0 'Cats lead.
Tia Andaya picked up a kill and
Ashley Kaufman blasted two more back-to-back off of the Seawolves and forced them into a timeout. 'Cats led 9-2.
'Cats were in the driver's seat,
Kylee Yamashita picked up a huge kill and
Kylie Thorne and
Leanna Shymanski followed suit with a massive block on the right side.
Vera Pluharova landed a kill for the Seawolves, but
Marianna Payne answered with a big swing that froze the entire Seawolf defense. The 'Cats led 16-6.
Kylee Yamashita,
Tia Andaya, and
Ashley Kaufman kicked up the block party going back-to-back putting the 'Cats up 20-8.
Kylie Thorne found the open space after the 'Cats got caught in the net and won the second set, 25-13.
The 'Cats continued to roll into the third set as
Marianna Payne and
Leanna Shymanski stuffed the Seawolves at the net to shut down their offense.
Leanna Shymanski went up alone on the following play and slammed one back into the Seawolves making it 10-5 in favor of the 'Cats.
Leanna Shymanski and
Ashley Kaufman went back-to-back on another pair of kills forcing the Seawolves into a timeout, 15-8.
The Seawolves picked up a pair on a kill and a ball handling error by the 'Cats, but
Leanna Shymanski brought service back to the 'Cats with a big kill.
Shaunessy Fisk followed suit with a service ace, and the 'Cats were in the driver's seat 22-16.
Shaunessy Fisk found another service ace and who other than
Leanna Shymanski and
Tia Andaya to slam the door shut with a block at the net. The 'Cats completed their revenge week and swept the Seawolves winning the final set, 25-16.