SEATTLE, WA.— The Central Washington Wildcats Volleyball team dropped both games to the Seattle Pacific University Falcons in their spring opener.
 
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"It was exciting to play and be in the heat of competition. I was very impressed with the resolve of our team and how competitive we remained when it wasn't going well. It's an untested roster, buth they showed they have some heart and resiliency, the makings of a special group." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya. "We did have a lot of good moments today which we intend to build off of. Our freshman got their first taste and they showed us glimpses of a bright future."

MATCH 1
Leanna Shymanski kicked off the Wildcats with the first kill in the opening set. An attack error and bad set by the Falcons gave the 'Cats a hot 3-0 start. The Falcons answered with a kill but the 'Cats were right back at it, a kill by MacKenzy Borek from Sydney Remsberg and another error on the Falcons pushed the lead out 5-2. The 'Cats defense wouldn't let up, maintaining constant success the 'Cats led 13-9. After the Falcons came within one at 17-16, the 'Cats put together an offensive push to extend their lead out to 20-16. The Falcons and the 'Cats went back-to-back in scoring bouts, but the Wildcats held on and Leanna Shymanski closed out the set with a kill. The 'Cats took the first set, 25-21.

The second set for the 'Cats started off rocky. The Falcons who could not take the lead in the first set scored quickly and built an 8-2 lead. The 'Cats began answering back, a kill by Analia Vasquez helped close the lead on the Falcons, 11-8. MacKenzy Borek gave the 'Cats their final kill of the set as the Falcons ran away with it, taking the set 25-13.

The Falcons started to run away with the third set, a kill by the 'Cats Marianna Payne was able to halt their momentum and put the 'Cats on the board 5-1. A ball handling error by the Falcons gave the 'Cats another point but they continued to run away with it, forcing a Central timeout. The Falcons lead it 10-2. The 'Cats began clawing back at the board, a pair of kills by Vasquez and one by Emma Daoud-Hebert helped them climb back in it, 15-8. The 'Cats attempted to climb back in it, a kill by Kylie Thorne was the final one for them in the third set. The Falcons took set three, 25-12.

In the fourth set the 'Cats were able to start strong, a kill from Thorne and Vasquez gave them a 3-2 lead. The 'Cats and Falcons battled back-and-forth, maintaining a score within four between the two. Kills by Shymanski, Payne and Thorne helped the 'Cats maintain the lead halfway through the set, 14-10. The Falcons made a seven-point push with four back-to-back-to-back-to-back kills to retake the lead, 17-15. The 'Cats continued to fight for the lead, Thorne made a kill to keep them in it as they approached the end of the set. Falcons lead 23-21.

The 'Cats were unable to mount the comeback in the fourth set, dropping the match to the Falcons, three sets to one.

MATCH 2
In the first set the Falcons jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. The 'Cats battled back with two kills by Analia Vasquez tying the set at 6-6. The 'Cats were able to stay with the Falcons, falling only a point behind after a kill from Marianna Payne, 15-14. After a strong battle of defense with the Falcons, a kill from Payne and a service ace by Sydney Remsberg put the 'Cats ahead 20-18. After fighting to a tie at 23-23, the 'Cats drop two straight points. The Falcons won the first set, 25-23.

The second set remained as much of a battle as the last, the Falcons taking the early 5-4 lead. The 'Cats continue to struggle getting over the two-point deficit at the hands of the Falcons. A service error by the Falcons and a kill by Analia Vasquez put the 'Cats within one, 15-14. The 'Cats finally rallied to retake the lead. A kill by Vasquez got them going, a pair of service aces by Kayla Skipworth and a pair of kills by Kylie Thorne pushed them ahead 20-17 over the Falcons. The 'Cats offense was able to make the final push, a kill by Kylie Thorne and an attack error by the Falcons closed out the second set. The 'Cats took set two 25-21.

The Falcons fought back in the third set, taking an early lead 8-6. Kylie Thorne got a kill for the 'Cats and a pair of attack errors gave the 'Cats some points, but the Falcons ran away with the lead 17-10. The 'Cats began closing the gap, a pair of Kills by Vasquez and an attack error by the Falcons cut the lead 18-16. The Falcons continued to extend their lead, Alyssa Smith had a kill to try and keep the 'Cats in it but they still trail 23-19. The 'Cats get two more on attack errors but dropped the set to the Falcons 25-21.

The 'Cats answered quickly from the last set, taking an early 4-1 lead on two attack errors and a kill from MacKenzy Borek and Laynie Erickson. The 'Cats continued to apply pressure on offense with kills by Kylee Yamashita and Laynie Erickson keeping them in front of the Falcons, 9-8. The 'Cats continued to battle, a bad set and an attack error by the Falcons kept the 'Cats ahead, 16-15. The 'Cats maintained their lead, kills from Carly Gibbon and Borek brought them ahead 21-17. The Falcons battled back to make it 24-24, then took the advantage point. The 'Cats held strong and a kill by Vasquez tied them back up. Erickson took charge with a quick kill to push the 'Cats into the advantage and an attack error by the Falcons gave the 'Cats the set, 27-25.

The 'Cats opened the fifth and final set by striking first with a kill by Carly Gibbon. The Falcons answered quickly but the 'Cats bounced right back with a kill from Laynie Erickson. The Falcons began to run away with it, taking an 8-2 lead. The 'Cats battled back with a kill by Borek and a pair of attack errors they cut it to 8-5. Vasquez earned another kill for the 'Cats, but unable to muster any more offense they dropped the final set to the Falcons, 15-6.

The 'Cats were unable to battle back in the fifth set, losing the match to the Falcons three sets to two.

The Wildcats next match is at home against Western Oregon University on April 9th.