BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The 22nd-ranked Central Washington University volleyball team earned their first win of the 2024 season when they defeated the San Francisco State University Gators in their second match of the WWU Invitational Friday evening by a score of 3-2 

Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya 
"The team grinded in all facets of the game. After being exposed by Metro, they stepped up their mental toughness and found a way to win. Passing was solid all night which got us a lot of looks on offense. A lot of players played different roles, so it was nice to see us get more comfortable in tough moments." 

How It Happened 
CWU fell for the first set but rebounded by winning sets two (25-19) and three (25-20). The Wildcats appeared to have set four won, but SFSU showed perseverance and took the 'Cats into extra points and would ultimately win the set (31-29) to force a deciding set five. The set saw plenty of action as both teams traded points and led the score down to the wire, but the Crimson and Black capitalized on late chances to put away the Gators 15-13. Central secured the win behind the efforts of Ellie Marble (19 kills), Shaunessy Fisk (14 digs), and Morgan Halady (5 blocks). In addition to 19 kills, Marble also earned 11 digs, being the first Wildcat to achieve a double-double for the 2024 season.  

First Set 
SFSU achieved a quick start to get a 5-1 lead, before the Wildcats started an effort led by kills from Marianna Payne and Emma Daoud-Hebert to come within one point. The momentum swung both ways until the Gators got into a groove that allowed them a 22-16 lead. The 'Cats then scored four points straight to make the score 22-20, but SFSU countered with three unanswered to finish the set 25-20.  

Second Set 
The set showed a more competitive aspect as the score saw several lead changes early on. SFSU earned a 7-4 lead behind an offensive effort by Tamiya Wilson who scored three kills in the run, but the Wildcats would take over the lead with Marble and Halady earning kills. After the Gators fought to tie the match at 13, the 'Cats began an 8-2 run that brought the score to 21-15. The Gators fought back to bring the score to 22-19, but the Crimson and Black finished the set with three straight points, winning 25-19. 

Third Set 
Central started right out of the gate with an 8-2 run with two service aces from Marble and three kills from Payne before SFSU called a timeout. It proved worthy as the Gators fought to bring the score to 14-12 behind Aidan Goodrich's three kills. The Wildcats then scored four-straight with kills from Daoud-Hebert and Scottie Ellsworth to take the 18-12 lead. SFSU fought to bring the score within 4, but the 'Cats held the momentum and closed out the set 25-20   

Fourth Set 
A 5-1 run by the Wildcats to start the set forced SFSU to call an early timeout. The Gators responded following the timeout to get the score to 7-5 for CWU. The two teams traded points, and SFSU tied the game at 12. The Gators would take the lead after an attack error and Central took a timeout. The set became a nail-biter as both teams traded the lead as the score saw a 21-21 tie. The 'Cats scored three to threaten the win, but SFSU persevered to tie the game at 24. The set went beyond the 25th point as the Gators would win the advantage point to lead 26-25. The Wildcats answered to tie at 26. SFSU took the advantage, but Daoud-Hebert kept the 'Cats in with the kill. The advantage turned in SFSU's favor and it appeared that the Gators had scored the set-winning play, but an official review led to a point for Central. The Gators put away the set with kills from Wilson and Izzy Issak to win 31-29.  

Fifth Set 
The deciding set saw a quick start by both teams with the score at 3-2 in favor of CWU. The Wildcats would go on a 5-1 run to end the first half of the final set. SFSU answered and scored five straight to make it 8-7. The teams went point-for-point to keep the game within two, but the 'Cats scored two in a row to lead 12-9 before SFSU called a timeout. The Gators scored two points following the timeout, but CWU countered with two to threaten the match point. SFSU fought to score two and brought the score to 14-13 as Central called timeout. On the match point, a chance by the Wildcats was played by SFSU and Goodrich attempted the kill but was blocked by Ellsworth and Daoud-Hebert to win the set and match for the Crimson and Black 15-13. 

Up Next 
The 'Cats will close out their time at the WWU Invitational tomorrow when they face the Sonoma State Seawolves at 2:00 p.m. from WECU Court in Carver Gym in Bellingham, Wash.