BELLINGHAM, Wash.— The Central Washington volleyball team dropped their final match of the WWU Invitational to the Chaminade Silverswords in a heart breaking five sets.

THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"The team can flat out compete, so we know that about us after this weekend. We got better each outing even in this tough loss. Chaminade was pretty loaded offensivley but we found our way to score as well. Marianna had a great tournament and a lot of our young players grew from these matches. Leanna was very good at the net all weekend coming up with some big blocks and timely kills. We're heading in the right direction so that's good to see." 

FIFTH SET HURDLE TRIPS UP WILDCATS
After a strong three-point run by the 'Cats offense, Tia Andaya and Mackenzy Borek both land kills to give the crimson and black their first lead in set one, 12-9.

The 'Cats offense continued to find holes, as strong swing by Ashley Kaufman landed a big kill, the 'Swords followed with an attack error and were forced to take a timeout as the Wildcats regained the lead 21-20.

A kill by Tia Andaya brought the 'Cats to a 22-21 lead, but an offensive push and three kills by the 'Swords held down the 'Cats in set one, 25-22.  

The 'Cats and 'Swords battled with four straight kills and a service error to open set two with a Chaminade lead, 3-2.

Eight straight kills by both sides is finally capped off with an attack error by the 'Swords giving the 'Cats an 11-10 lead.

Ashley Kaufman landed another kill but the 'Swords offense began to heat up. Five straight points by the 'Swords had the 'Cats in a hole, 19-12. The 'Cats offense began mounting a comeback that was capped off by a kill from Marianna Payne, but the 'Swords were too far ahead and took the second set, 25-19.

The 'Swords held momentum coming into the third set as four straight points gave them an early lead, 7-4. The Wildcat offense made a huge push as four straight kills with two from Marianna Payne and a single from both Tia Andaya and Analia Vasquez put the 'Cats on top 12-9.

The 'Cats force the 'Swords into a timeout, but it isn't enough to slow them down as Laynie Erickson lands three service aces in a four point run to extend the lead 17-11 in favor of Central.

Lataisia Saulala and the 'Swords put up three points but Ashley Kaufman answered with three straight kills between attack errors and Marianna Payne caped it off with a kill giving Central their largest lead of the day, 23-14. Ashley Kaufman closed out the set with a service ace, 'Cats took set three 25-16.

The crimson and black came out swinging in the start of the forth set, but a five point and four kill run for the 'Swords put them on top 6-3. Wildcats capitalized on multiple errors by the 'Swords and found themselves in the lead 13-12.

After a battle between both sides, a pair of kills from Marianna Payne gave the 'Cats a much-needed lead late in the set, 23-22. Ashley Kaufman had a pivotal kill at match point to keep the 'Cats in the game. A kill by Tia Andaya and an attack error by the 'Swords gave the Wildcats set four, 28-26.

The 'Cats offense kept on rolling into the final set as big block from Tia Andaya and Kylee Yamashita forced the 'Swords into a timeout as they trailed the 'Cats 10-6.

The 'Cats offense battled back to a 13-12 deficit but the 'Swords regained momentum and took the match. Wildcats fell 15-12 in the final set.

Ashley Kaufman led the offense with 19 kills, Marianna Payne just behind her at a new season high 18 kills. Sydney Remsburg put up 28 assists, Tia Andaya followed her up with 27. Hannah Stires had a season high 25 digs, and Leanna Shymanski posted 6 blocks.