ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Led by the team's three seniors, the Central Washington University volleyball team defeated the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks in four sets (25-22, 25-16, 20-25, 25-17) on Saturday evening at the SURC.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"I'm very happy for our team and the seniors. We had to step up and face a very good NNU team who, like us, is chasing a playoff spot. The team rose to the occasion led by our three seniors. Sydney and Tia's double-double and Alyssa hitting .600 was a perfect scenario. I am very blessed to coach these three. I hope we still have more time together."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Before the first serve, the team honored their three seniors: Tia Andaya, Sydney Remsberg and Alyssa Smith. On Senior Night, the seniors showed up. Both Andaya and Remsberg logged double-doubles. Andaya had 25 assists and 12 digs along with eight kills while Remsberg recorded 20 assists and 13 digs. Smith hit .600 with six kills and tallied three blocks.
 
Following a six-point run halfway through the first set, the 'Cats held a 16-9 lead. The Nighthawks brought it back, cutting the lead to 18-16. CWU earned their next three points from kills by the seniors, Andaya & Smith, all assisted by Remsberg to help the team put away the first set 25-22.
 
Early in the second set, the Wildcats were able to string points together back-to-back while limiting the NNU offense. At 15-11, CWU got hot, taking 10 of the final 15 points. Kills from Ashley Kaufman and Thorne won the second set for the Wildcats 25-16.
 
Looking to avoid being swept, the Nighthawks showed their prowess and forced a fourth set. The 'Cats dropped the third set 20-25.
 
Early in the fourth set, the Nighthawks rattled off a six-kill streak as the Wildcats trailed 8-11, but the team battled back to tie it up at 12-12. Then the Wildcats took eight of the next 11 points, capitalized by a Smith kills to make it 20-15. The team held on to the lead, clinching the fourth set 25-17.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats close the regular season with a 16-10, 11-7 record. Entering the weekend, the 'Cats were ranked sixth in the West Regional Rankings. The NCAA Division II Volleyball Selection Show is Sunday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. If the Wildcats place in the top eight in the West Region, they'll travel to the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament next weekend.