ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The 13^th-ranked Central Washington University Wildcat Volleyball Team (7-3, 1-1 GNAC) was defeated by the Simon Fraser Red Leafs (6-4, 1-1 GNAC) Saturday afternoon in a thrilling back-and-forth matchup.

Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"Simon came to play, and we couldn't match their output. I liked how we continued to fight and worked most of the match, but we couldn't capitalize in some key moments. We needed to earn more points. We're not going to win many matches hitting under .100. Simon had a lot to do with that for sure, but we left some stuff on the table which is disappointing."

How it happened
SFU would get the clean sweep winning 3-0 seeing the sets end 22-25, 23-25, 24-26. The Wildcats battled hard and were in each set, falling just short in the end. Unable to get points in clutch times the Red Leafs held the Wildcats with some long rallies and never let up the intensity.

Tia Andaya led the Wildcats with 11.5 points, had 6 kills, and 22 assists. Scottie Ellsworth led the 'Cats with 11 kills resulting in her 11 points. Emma Daoud-Hebert was dominant with 9 blocks, 6 kills, and 10.5 points for the Wildcats. Hannah Stires had 16 digs for CWU and had four assists.

Set 1
The Red Leafs came out of the gates hot with 2 blocks and a trio of kills to get the early lead 1-7 over CWU. A pair of kills and a block by the 'Cats would bring it back 9-9. SFU was able to add two four-point runs, growing their lead to 14-19. With the Red Leafs looking to reach set point, the Wildcats battled back with Kylie Thorne's 3 kills and a big block to close in 22-24, but SFU would nab the first set off a Red Leaf kill.

Set 2
In a back-and-forth set the Wildcats would fall behind 8-10 after evening up six different times. SFU would grow their lead to three at 12-15 before Ellsworth and Thorne would combine for five kills giving the 'Cats the lead 17-15. A quartet of kills by SFU would ultimately lock the teams up at 20-20. A kill and a block would create set point for the Red Leafs with an ace sealing the deal with the final 23-25.

Set 3
Following an early Red Leaf score, the brick wall duo of Daoud-Hebert and Andaya would add a quad of blocks as the Wildcats would take a 6-1 lead. A pair of kills and a block following the SFU kill would grow the 'Cats lead 9-2. Four kills by the Red Leafs would see the lead shrink to 9-6.

Despite the comeback, Ellsworth would add a pair of kills making it 11-7. Battling back and forth would bring the score to 18-17 before the 'Cats would look to close the door on a pair of kills, a block, and an ace seeing CWU's lead grow 22-17. SFU would lock it up at 23 all following a trio of kills and an ace. A kill by Andaya would leave the 'Cats at set point but a pair of kills would close it out 24-26.

What's Next
The Wildcats hit the road with a pair of conference matchups next week, taking on the Montana State University Billings Yellow Jackets (2-7, 0-1 GNAC) Thursday at 6:00 pm at Alterowitz Gymnasium in Billings. Then facing the Seattle Pacific Falcons (8-2, 2-0 GNAC) on Saturday at 2:00 pm in Seattle.