ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University Wildcats volleyball team (9-5, 7-1 GNAC) saw their seven-game winning streak end at the hands of the Simon Fraser University Red Leafs (11-4, 7-1 GNAC) Thursday evening, being swept 3-0.
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
Simon defended us well and made it very difficult to score. They were able to run their offense more, and their hitters did a nice job of scoring. We will need to figure some things out from this and get back at it tomorrow.
How It Happened
The 'Cats were defeated in three sets with the Red Leafs winning set one 26-24, set two 25-16, and set three 25-22. CWU was led in kills by
Marianna Payne, who earned 9 kills total. Other leaders for the match included
Emma Daoud-Hebert (2.5 blocks),
Hannah Stires (17 digs), and
Lacy Cox (13 assists).
The Wildcats struck first to start the first set, scoring three to take a 3-0 lead. Simon Fraser fought back to keep the set close as both teams traded points. Then with Central leading 9-6, the Red Leafs scored four straight points to take a 10-9 lead. SFU held the lead throughout the middle of the set, but CWU remained close behind and eventually tied the set at 19-19. The two teams remained neck and neck for the remainder of the set but when the 'Cats forced set point at 24-23, Simon Fraser answered with three straight points to snatch the victory away from Central, winning 26-24.
The beginning of the second set turned in favor of the Red Leafs early on, going on a 5-1 run. CWU answered and attempted to chip away at the lead, but SFU was able to catch strides, scoring in streaks to eventually lead 17-8. The Wildcats didn't appear to catch any traction in the set as Simon Fraser seemed to have an answer for almost every Central scoring opportunity. A kill from Megan Hawkins would close out the set for the Red Leafs as they won 25-16.
The third set began a more even bout as both teams fought evenly and the score remained close for the first half of the set. SFU would get the first momentum swing of the set, scoring three straight to lead 15-12. CWU answered, but the Red Leafs kept the lead out of reach and even built on it, scoring two at times to make the margin larger for the Wildcats. However, the 'Cats fought hard to keep the set close and were able to claw by within two points, trailing 21-19. The teams traded points and with match point looming for the Red Leafs 24-22, Hawkins shut the door on CWU, earning the final kill and securing the win for Simon Fraser 25-22 and handing the Wildcats their first loss in conference play this season.
Up Next
The Wildcats are home again Saturday, Oct 19 as they take on the Western Washington University Vikings. First serve from Nicholson Arena is at 7:00 p.m.
