SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.— The Central Washington volleyball team got revenge taking down No. 24 Chaminade in the opening round of the NCAA West Regional Thursday morning.

"We showed the grit that we've been showing most of the season. We've been playing playoff volleyball since November to stay alive. Chaminade is a championship program, so I am very proud of the grit that we showed in making the adjustments to stay alive. We're looking forward to playing again tomorrow." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

The Silverswords and 'Cats picked up their grudge match right where they left off on September 5^th.

The 'Cats had found the early lead on a pair of back-to-back kills by Marianna Payne, 6-4.

The 'Swords answered quickly putting together a 7-1 run to retake the lead with room to spare, 15-10.

Emma Daoud-Hebert gave the 'Cats life with a pair of kills on her own, but errors by the 'Cats offense allowed the 'Swords to put together another four-point run taking the lead 20-13.

Tia Andaya and Leanna Shymanski gave the 'Cats their final kills of the set, and 'Swords took the opening set 25-17.

Set two proved to be more favorable to the 'Cats. A pair of attack errors by the 'Swords and a kill from Tia Andaya allowed the 'Cats to break it open, 11-8.

The 'Swords found their step, and a series of kills and attack errors by the 'Cats allowed them to retake the lead, 19-18.

Ashley Kaufman and Tia Andaya gave the 'Cats life with a pair of kills. Kylie Thorne followed suit with a kill of her own and an attack error by the 'Swords closed out set two in favor of the 'Cats, 26-24.

The battle continued in set three. The 'Cats and 'Swords exchanged blows bringing about a 13-13 tie early. The 'Swords went on the first run of the set with four-straight points, taking the lead 17-13.

With the lead holding strong for the 'Swords, both sides continued to exchange kills leading to a 22-19 'Cats deficit.

That was all she wrote in set three as the 'Cats went on a six-point run that included kills from Ashley Kaufman, Marianna Payne, a service ace from Tia Andaya, and a pair of attack errors by the 'Swords.

The 'Cats took set three 25-22.

Coussoulis Arena radiated with the energy from the 'Cats bench.

The 'Swords took off to a quick 5-2 lead, but a 10-1 run by the 'Cats quickly ran up the lead 12-6.

The 'Swords found themselves a four-point run by way of a pair of kills and Central attack errors, allowing them to climb within two 14-12.

A kill provided the 'Swords final point of the season, as the 'Cats put together a nine-point run to close out the match. Marianna Payne and found a pair of kills on the run, but it was Tia Andaya with a kill who closed it out on a service ace.

The 'Cats took revenge on the 'Swords taking the final set 25-13.

The 'Cats will take on GNAC opponent and winner of match number two, No. 13 Western Washington vs. Simon Fraser, tomorrow at 5:00 PM.