FAIRBANKS, Alaska. – The Central Washington University Wildcat volleyball team (8-4, 6-0 GNAC) defeated the University of Alaska Fairbanks (12-5, 4-3 GNAC) Thursday afternoon in Fairbanks, Alaska, sweeping the Nanooks 3-0.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
We created a lot of chances to score against a big block and physical opponent. UAF creates some tough challenges, so we responded well and were able to end rallies and not give their physical hitters extra chances to swing. Our setters and pin hitters connected well all match. We played well as team and that's what matters most. UAF created a fun environment for the community with all the kids there, so it was fun to be a part of.

How It Happened
The Crimson and Black won the three sets by scores of 25-22 (Set One), 25-21 (Set Two), 25-19 (Set Three). Marianna Payne led the 'Cats in kills with 14 total, while Emma Daoud-Hebert led in blocks with 2.5. Hannah Stires and Lacy Cox were strong on the defensive side with Stires logging 17 digs, and Cox earning 13 digs. Cox also led the team in assists with 22 total.
 
The first set started with Central jumping to a 3-1 lead, but UAF stormed back to take a 7-5 lead. CWU scored the next two points to tie and caught a stride, scoring four more to take an 11-7 lead. The teams would trade points through most of the set as the Wildcats kept the score just out of reach of the Nanooks. Then with the score at 24-19 with set point looming for CWU, the Nanooks scored three points to make the score 24-22. That's as close as UAF got, as a kill from Ellie Marble closed out the set for the Crimson and Black, winning 25-22
 
Like the first set, the 'Cats got out to a quick lead to start Set Two. Alaska Fairbanks battled back to tie it at 4 though. However, Central started a 6-0 run to take a 10-4 lead. The Nanooks chipped away at the lead, coming within two points. That's when the Wildcats hit a streak of five straight points to lead 18-11. UAF fought to come back, but the margin was too much as the 'Cats won the set 25-21 off a Kennedy Webb kill.
 
The third set started with an evenly fought battle with both teams trading points, leading to a 6-6 tie. CWU then scored three points to lead 9-6. UAF answered with two points to trail by one, and the teams traded the next several points as the Wildcats kept the narrow lead. Then a kill from Webb helped build a five-point streak for Central to lead 16-10. The Nanooks answered with a 7-4 run to trail 20-17, then the 'Cats scored four points to force match point. UAF scored two more points, but Daoud-Hebert shut the door, earning the set-winning kill 25-19, as the Crimson and Black broke out the brooms for a sweep of the Nanooks.

Up Next
The Wildcats head down to Anchorage to take on the Seawolves of the University of Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. PDT.