ELLENSBURG, Wash.-The 13th ranked Central Washington University Wildcat Volleyball team (7-2, 1-0 GNAC) hosted state and GNAC rival, the Western Washington University Vikings (0-9, 0-1 GNAC) Thursday evening seeing the 'Cats win 3-1.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"It was an electric environment in the SURC, so I am glad everyone saw a good match. Ashley was a rock tonight, being served 56 times plus leading us in kills. We got strong defensive play and converted that into points in set four which was huge. Hannah had some significant moments that kept runs going. Tia had a balanced night (triple-double) which can be difficult to contain as an opponent. Overall, it was a good team win and a good way to start GNAC play."

How It Happened
CWU was able to secure the win by taking sets 1, 2, and 4 with the sets going 25-15, 25-15, 22-25, and 25-23. The crowd had the SURC rockin' as the Wildcats looked dominant throughout all 4 sets. Ashley Kaufman led the 'Cats with 13 kills and co-led with Tia Andaya with 14.5 points. Andaya had quite the evening with two aces, 11 kills, 36 assists, 11 digs, and the match point in the 4th set securing the win. Kylie Thorne and Scottie Ellsworth had 11 points each for the 'Cats as well as 10 kills each. Hannah Stires had 24 digs as well as two aces.
 
First Set
The Wildcats opened the first set trading points with the Vikings seeing the set tie at 3 all. The 'Cats take an early lead following three points highlighted by Kaufman's kill putting CWU up 6-3. A trio of kills by the Vikings would bring the set to 9-8, but the Wildcats answered with three kills themselves seeing the lead grow to 12-8. CWU would add a pair of three point runs seeing Kaufman add 2 more kills and a Stires ace, 18-10. Though WWU would add a few more the Wildcats shut the door on 3 straight points winning 25-15.
 
Second Set
Opposite of the first set WWU jumped out to the 6-3 lead over the 'Cats early in set 2. Emma Daoud-Hebert and Andaya would add 3 kills and a big block to bring the Wildcats back 7-7. After knotting at 10, CWU would continue the block party adding three to get their lead 16-10. Adding six more kills in the set, the Wildcats take this one 25-15.
 
Third Set
Back and forth the 'Cats and Vikings go this round with the teams locking up 9 different times in the set. WWU would ultimately prevail this time with the 'Cats adding 11 kills and 2 aces.
 
Fourth Set
The 'Cats opened the 4th set with 4 kills as they looked to close out their home opener 4-0. Not giving up that easily the Vikings were able to battle back but the Wildcats still led 11-9. Adding another quartet of kills CWU would jump ahead 15-9. After trading alternating blows the Wildcats would add a big block, growing their lead to 22-16. Although WWU would add their own tetrad of points the 'Cat lead would shrink to 22-20. With the Wildcats looking to reach match point, leader Tia Andaya would pull out the old surprise attack to secure the CWU win 25-23.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats host Simon Fraser this Saturday, September 14^th, with action set to begin at 1:00 pm in the Central Washington University Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC).