ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington volleyball team rallied behind sophomore Ashley Kaufman to sweep No. 22 Simon Fraser. Today's win gave the Wildcats their third upset against a ranked opponent this season, and remain undefeated in Nicholson Pavilion.
 
"Getting two good regional and conference wins really helps us out. I was happy with the way that we continued to play good fundamental volleyball. We really adapted to Simon Fraser's pressure and did great with our ball control." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.
 
UNBEATABLE IN THE 'CATS DEN
"It feels awesome. We've all worked so hard for this, and I know Mario really wanted this too."
We have all worked really hard in the gym and the weight room, so we owe it all to our coaches and support." Ashley Kaufman said.
 
It was all 'Cats from the opening of the first set. Tia Andaya provided an early kill giving the 'Cats an early lead, 5-3. Simon Fraser stayed in it as an attack error by the 'Cats allowed them to even it out 6-6.
 
A service error from Simon Fraser kicked off a four-point scoring run that would propel the 'Cats into the lead. Marianna Payne dropped a ball just over the net and the 'Cats found themselves in front 14-10.
 
"Sydney Remsberg and Tia Andaya delivered a really good offense. I was really happy with Ashley's overall weekend, she's setting a standard for herself here in her second year. Our passers: Hannah, Lainey, and Ashley really grinded it out for us this weekend." CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.
 
Simon Fraser remained close, keeping within at least four points until the 'Cats broke it open at the 20-16 mark with a kill from Tia Andaya.
 
The 'Cats held Simon Fraser to 17 point's in the first set and closed it out 25-17 at the hands of an error by Simon Fraser.
 
In the second set, the 'Cats and Simon Fraser seemed dead even to open it up. Multiple equalizers from both sides had both teams tied up at 5-5. Simon Fraser fought back to their final equalizer of the set at 12-12 due to a miscue by the 'Cats.
 
Ashley Kaufman and Leanna Shymanski provided big kills that helped the 'Cats pull away. A trio of miscues by the 'Cats gave Simon Fraser hope, but Leanna Shymanski knocked down the final kill with a beautiful set from Sydney Remsberg. The 'Cats took set two, 25-21.
 
A 3-0 start for the 'Cats in set three with a service ace by Tia Andaya was all the 'Cats needed to make a statement. Simon Fraser tried to fight back, bringing about equalizers at 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6. Simon Fraser however, was no match for the power behind Ashley Kaufman's back-to-back kills.
 
Add in a kill from Marianna Payne and the 'Cats found themselves with their biggest lead of the day, 17-7.  
 
Tia Andaya and Marianna Payne both provided kills late in the set, but it was back-to-back errors by Simon Fraser that shut the door on themselves. The 'Cats took the final set, 25-15.