ELLENSBURG, Wash. - For the third consecutive night, the Central Washington University Wildcats volleyball team went five sets with their opponent. Unfortunately, Saturday night's match ended with the 'Cats falling short of victory to the #11 Cal State LA Golden Eagles. 

Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya 

"The good thing about this weekend is we know what we need to work on and commit to get better at. This group is hungry and is ready to improve. Emma had an outstanding tournament, and Hannah was our rock. Morgan's 6 Blocks from were key, and her energy level is always high which helps this team never give up. All three setters K-Shay, Lacy, and Kate all got valuable time on the court, so they now know how we can improve our offense and scoring options. Back to work and on to the GNAC grind." 

How It Happened 

The Golden Eagles won sets one (27-25) and two (26-24) in close fashion with both sets going into extra points. With the threat of a sweep looming, Central took sets three and four with strong performances from Ellie Marble (14 kills), Emma Daoud-Hebert (12 kills), and Corinne Westby (10 kills). Marble earned her third double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs. The fifth set saw Cal State LA jump out in front and never look back as they held the lead to win 15-12. Team leaders include Marble, Hannah Stires (26 digs), and Morgan Halady (3 blocks). 

Cal State LA jumped out in front to start the first set and went on a 7-2 run. The Golden Eagles built on the lead to make the score 16-8, but Central went on a five-point streak to cut the lead to three. The teams traded points up to a 23-17 score for Cal State LA. However, the Wildcats scored six more points in a row to tie the set at 23. Trading two points each to bring the score to 25-25, a kill from Emily Elliott then put the Golden Eagles into advantage and a block by Haley Roundtree shut the door as Cal State LA won 27-25. 

The second set saw both teams trade the lead back and forth for most of the first half of the set until the score was tied at 13. The 'Cats went on a 5-1 run to take an 18-14 lead. The Golden Eagles earned a few points, but CWU was able to counter and kept the score just out of reach. With the score at 23-19 in favor of the Wildcats, Cal State LA scored four in a row to tie the set at 23. A service error by Sophia Bernard put Central into set point, but the Golden Eagles stormed back, scoring three-straight points to win the set 26-24 

The 'Cats shot out of the gate to begin the third set, going on a 10-4 run. Cal State LA would score four-straight to cut the lead to two points, but CWU countered with four points as well. Central appeared to have things working, usually answering a Golden Eagle score with two or three points of their own. The Crimson and Black led strongly throughout the set and won 25-15.  

The two teams started the fourth set battling neck and neck and were tied at 7. Central then began to build a lead earning two points off a Marble kill and block from Westby and Halady. The teams exchanged points for a few rounds until CWU went on a 6-2 run to build the lead to 19-14. The Wildcats and Golden Eagles traded a few more points before the 'Cats scored three straight to lead 24-17. With set point on the line, Cal State LA scored one more point before a Martinaya Dornic attack error sealed the comeback for the Crimson and Black, winning the set 25-18 

The fifth set saw the teams trade the first couple points for Central to lead 2-1. The Golden Eagles then score five straight points to take a 6-2 lead. The Wildcats fought back, but Cal State LA would match their points for each scoring moment. CWU continued to try and cut the lead down, but the damage from the early Golden Eagle streak had set in and Cal State would win the match-deciding set 15-12 off a kill from Elliott. Elliott would ultimately win MVP for the CWU Invitational 

Up Next 

The Crimson and Black travel to Monmouth, Ore. to open GNAC play against the Western Oregon University Wolves on Thursday, Sept.19 at 7:00 p.m. 

CWU Invitational ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM