BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Central Washington University Wildcats volleyball team defeated rivals Western Washington University in a gritty five-set battle Thursday evening from Carver Gym.
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"It was a highly contested match in a lot of categories, but I liked how we stayed composed, and problem-solved when Western was playing well. They had a lot going on offense and we just had to try and make a few stops and match their offense. We started to feel more comfortable in long rallies and were able to score some key points down the stretch in transition. Scottie and Mod were very good on the pins and Emma grinded out some big plays in the middle. Hannah led a really good team defensive effort, but her 10 assists show how effective we were when out of system. I am happy for our seniors to win their final time in Carver as it is such a difficult place to play."
How It Happened
The Wildcats and Vikings traded the first four sets as Central won sets one (25-23) and three (25-10), and Western won sets two (27-25) and four (25-20). The decisive set five was a battle as the 'Cats took the victory, winning 15-10.
The Wildcats leaders included Marianna Payne, who earned 19 kills in the match, as well as Hannah Stires, whose 30 digs kept the Wildcats alive at multiple times during the match. Emma Daoud-Hebert led in blocks with 3.5 total, and Kayleigh-Shay Chang led in both assists (29) and service aces (four).
The Vikings started the match quickly as they went on a 5-2 run for the lead. The 'Cats scored two to trail by one, but Western answered with three more points to lead 8-4. The teams traded the next four points, and then Central scored three to trail 10-9. The Wildcats tied it up at 12-12 off a Janelle Grant attack error and then took a 14-13 lead off an Ellie Marble kill. Both teams traded the lead and WWU took the lead back, but CWU fought to keep the score close as the teams stay within one point until the end of the set. Then, with the score at 23-22 in favor of the Vikings, the Crimson and Black struck, scoring three straight points to claim the set win 25-23 off a Payne kill and two Daoud-Hebert service aces.
Western Washington found momentum to start the second set, going on a 7-2 run. The Wildcats answered with a 6-1 run to tie the set at 8-8. The Vikings then scored three and were met with two points from the 'Cats. WWU scored one more point, but Central answered with three points to take a 13-12 lead. The set became a neck-and-neck battle as both teams traded the lead going into a 16-16 tie. CWU scored four points to take a 20-16 lead and WWU answered with three. Both teams then traded three points each to bring the score to 23-22 with Central leading. A kill from Payne forced set point for the Wildcats, but the Vikings answered with three points to flip the script and force advantage at 25-24. A Caroline Hansen service error tied the set at 25, but Western scored the next two to win the set 27-25 and tie the match at 1-1.
Set three began evenly as both teams scored to lead to a 4-4 tie. CWU scored four points to lead 8-4. Western battled to keep it close and then with the score at 12-8, the Crimson and Black offense came alive, scoring seven points to lead 19-8. The teams traded points as the Vikings got to their tenth point, but that's as far as they got and the 'Cats scored the next five points to shut the door for the third set, winning 25-10 and taking the 2-1 lead in the match.
The Vikings took inspiration from the Wildcats' third set performance and answered with a 10-4 run to kick off the fourth set. Central responded with a 3-1 run to trail 11-7, but Western answered back with seven straight points to lead 18-7. However, the Crimson and Black were down, but not out as they proceeded to go on a 9-2 run to trail 20-16. The Vikings got a pair of points to extend the lead, but CWU answered with two of their own. WWU scored another point, which was met with two Wildcat points to make the score 23-20. But that's as close as Central could get, as Western scored the next two points to close the set, winning 25-20.
The 'Cats didn't waste any time to start the final set, going on a 7-2 run. A service error from Stires stopped the momentary drive for CWU though but was answered with two more points to make the score 9-3. Western fought back and began to chip away at the lead as they got the score to 13-10 and the potential of a comeback on the horizon for the Vikings. However, Marble and Scottie Ellsworth had other plans, earning the next two kills to finish off the Vikings 15-10 and winning the match 3-2 for the Crimson and Black.
Up Next
The Wildcats climb Burnaby Mountain for a battle for first place in the GNAC standings as they take on the Simon Fraser Red Leafs Saturday, Nov 16. First serve from the West Gym is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
