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Central Washington University Athletics

Hannah_Stires_Andaya_Shymanski_Kaufman_Erickson_Remsberg_vs_WWU_2021
Jacob Thompson
1
Western Wash. WWU 5-4,1-1 Great Northwest
3
Winner Central Wash. CentWA 5-3,2-1 Great Northwest
Western Wash. WWU
5-4,1-1 Great Northwest
1
Final
3
Central Wash. CentWA
5-3,2-1 Great Northwest
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western Wash. WWU 13 25 15 23 (1)
Central Wash. CentWA 25 19 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Wildcats Upset No. 15 Vikings

ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington volleyball team took down GNAC rival and #15 ranked Western Washington to pick up their 6th win of the season, remaining undefeated at home.

"We try to create our energy on the court, but being at home with all of the student athletes, student body, and fans, it really helped. Western is a phenomenal team and it's going to be a battle in the GNAC. We're stoked we picked up this one for sure." Said Head Coach Mario Andaya.

RESILIENCE, CONFIDENCE, DOMINANCE
Upon coming to Ellensburg after a huge win over #20 Simon Fraser (B.C.) alongside winning the last ten matchups against the Wildcats, one may have thought the Vikings would be a formidable foe. After the first set, it was the clear the Wildcats were in the driver's seat.

"Surreal, it was a blur. I felt like we all played together and literally just balled out." Said Tia Andaya, who led the Wildcats with her fourth triple-double of the season.

The match started as an equal contest. Tia Andaya, Leanna Shymanski, and Hanna Stires all put up kills to tie it up with the Vikings 5-5.

The Wildcats took control when MacKenzy Borek landed a big kill to kick off a six-point scoring run that would be closed out with a service ace from Tia Andaya. The 'Cats led it 19-11.

Another four-point scoring run allowed the 'Cats to take control, and Marianna Payne closed out the set with a monster kill down the middle. The 'Cats took set one 25-13.

After such a strong first set, the 'Cats slipped up early allowing the Vikings to jump out to a 12-2 lead. The 'Cats pushed back in the middle of the set, as a three-point scoring run with a kill from Ashley Kaufman, Marianna Payne, and a service ace from Tia Andaya made it 16-9, Vikings still in front.

The 'Cats had a few miscues and after a kill from Tia Andaya, there was nothing left they could do. The Vikings took set two, 25-19.

You could feel the energy from the crowd early in the third set. The Vikings remained composed and kept it tied early at 4-4. Tia Andaya kicked off a five-point scoring run with back-to-back kills allowing the 'Cats to gain ground. The 'Cats led it 9-4.

The crowd heated up, and so did the 'Cats. Another five-point scoring run followed by a three-point scoring run allowed the 'Cats to take set three. Emma Daoud-Hebert landed the finishing blow and the 'Cats won set three 25-15.

It was over before the first serve in set four. Nicholson Pavilion radiated with confidence as the 'Cats came out with victory in their sights. The momentum built up from set three propelled the 'Cats to an early lead in set four, 4-1.

The Vikings found their stride and after two back-to-back two-point runs, they had cut the lead to 10-8 in favor of the 'Cats.

The Vikings began to heat up but kills from Tia Andaya and Ashley Kaufman kept the Vikings at bay. The Vikings weren't going down with out a fight and brought it back to 20-19, still in favor the 'Cats.

Although just behind, the 'Cats held the Vikings down behind a one-point lead to finish out the final set. Marianna Payne brought the hammer to land the finishing blow.

The 'Cats secured the upset winning the final set, 25-23.
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