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Central Washington University Athletics

Volleyball vs CPP
Shayden Hoopai-Waikoloa
2
Cal Poly Pomona CPP 4-1,0-0 CCAA
3
Winner Central Wash. CentWA 2-2,0-0 Great Northwest
Cal Poly Pomona CPP
4-1,0-0 CCAA
2
Final
3
Central Wash. CentWA
2-2,0-0 Great Northwest
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Cal Poly Pomona CPP 25 20 23 25 14 (2)
Central Wash. CentWA 23 25 25 11 16 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Wildcats Upset #10 Broncos in Five-Set Thriller

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University Wildcats volleyball team upset the #10 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos in what could be viewed as an instant-classic match, winning 3-2. 

Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya 
"We went through it all in that match.  Cal Poly is a tremendous offensive team, so our defense was key. Set four was tough to go through, but our team embraced how uncomfortable it was and stay committed to do the right thing no matter how hard it felt. Set five was a pretty unique and we were blessed it went our way." 

How It Happened 
The Wildcats won sets two (25-20) and three (25-23) and fought off several match points in set five (16-14) to take the victory away from the Broncos. The 'Cats found offensive success through Ellie Marble, Marianna Payne, and Scottie Ellsworth. Marble's efforts earned her a double-double, her second of the season with 14 kills and 13 digs. On the defensive side, libero Hannah Stires held off multiple attacks from the Cal Poly Pomona squad, leading the team with 23 digs which helped keep the Crimson and Black in the match. 

First Set 
Set one had both teams trading points and staying neck and neck throughout the entire set. Central saw a team effort to stay with the Broncos with kills from Ellsworth, Payne, and Emma Daoud-Hebert early on. Cal Poly Pomona countered with kills from Sarah Ybarra and Alexia Athans. The Broncos kept the lead over CWU for the set and Ybarra earned the set-winning kill 25-23. 

Second Set 
Both teams started the set trading the lead back and forth. Cal Poly Pomona got a run of three points to pull away, but the 'Cats fought back to tie and then retake the lead off kills from Payne and Ellsworth. The Wildcats then began to take hold of the set with a 5-2 run to lead 16-13. The teams exchanged points, but CWU would counter a Bronco point with two or three of their own, ultimately winning the set 25-20 off a block from Marble and Daoud Hebert. 

Third Set 
Central found a stride during the third set as they started the set trading points with the Broncos before going on a 12-6 run to lead 17-11. Their success continued through kills from Morgan Halady and Corinne Westby, taking a lead of 22-14 before Cal Poly Pomona went on a seven-point streak that cut the lead to 22-21. The Wildcats held off the run with a kill from Westby and two Bronco errors to close out the set 25-23. 

Fourth Set 
Set four saw Cal Poly Pomona put their foot on the gas and never really stopped. The Broncos countered one CWU point with multiple kills from Madison Novak and Athans. The Wildcats never were able to get a good footing as the Broncos closed out the set with a Novak kill, dominating the fourth set 25-11. 

Fifth Set 
The deciding set started strong with both teams exchanging points. Cal Poly Pomona began to pull away to lead 5-3 off an Ybarra ace and Samantha Campion kill. Central countered with a group of kills from Payne, Westby, and Daoud-Hebert to trail 6-7, but the Broncos found a groove starting a 7-3 run to threaten match point with a score of 14-9. However, the 'Cats refused to give up and scored five straight to tie at 14. An attack error by Campion and a coach's challenge from Cal Poly Pomona's Traci Dahl followed. The call stood and CWU had the advantage for the match point, and Marble would serve up an ace that played off Avery Percival to complete the set comeback and finish the upset for the Crimson and Black, winning 16-14.

Up Next 
The Wildcats face the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes tomorrow evening in their second match of the CWU Invitational. First serve will be at 7:00 p.m. 

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