ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Central Washington University volleyball team (11-4, 7-1 GNAC) came away with a big win on the road Thursday night after defeating RV Alaska Anchorage (14-4, 5-3 GNAC) by a score of 3-1 in the Alaska Airlines Center.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"This was an impressive defensive battle with UAA. Both sides made some great plays and extended so many rallies. We probably converted more digs into points which may have been the difference. Brooklyn was all over the floor and our block was pretty evident all night. Our setters did a great job distributing the offense and worked very hard and smart for their teammates."
 
How It Happened
The Wildcats found an early lead in the match after winning sets one and two. UAA would answer by winning the third set in a neck-and-neck battle. But Central closed out the match with a strong set four win to take the match start the road trip on a high note.
 
Big plays from Ellie Marble, who led in scoring with 17 kills, while also recording 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Kayleigh-Shay Chang and Addie Allen both led in setting with 23 assists each, while Allen led the service line with three aces. On the defensive side, Kailey Willsey stood guard at the net with three blocks, while Brooklyn Parker ran the defensive line with 28 digs.
 
The 'Cats opened the match with a bang–going on a 7-1 run. The Seawolves responded with three points to cut the lead to three. The teams traded a point before Central hit another stride and scored four points to take a seven-point lead. UAA found three quick points but Central returned the favor with three of their own. Then, Anchorage got a 5-1 run to cut the lead to three again. Both teams began trading points as CWU held the lead. Then, with the score at 19-17, the Crimson and Black came alive and scored six-straight to win set one 25-17.
 
The second set started with both teams battling and trading points, leading to the score being tied at 7-7. Then, Central found a big chance and went on a 7-2 run to take a 14-8 lead. The Wildcats then hit three more points but were answered with three points for the Seawolves. CWU was not fazed, though, and scored three more to make it 20-12 lead. UAA responded in a big way–going on a 7-3 run to cut the lead to four points. The 'Cats were able to escape the Seawolves' comeback attempt with two quick points capped off by a block from Willsey and Scottie Ellsworth to take set two 25-19 and the Crimson and Black a 2-0 lead.
 
Both teams started set three competitively with neither team giving an edge for the first six points. Then, the Seawolves found two points to make it 8-6. Central responded with a point, but UAA got three more points to build its lead. The teams traded the next couple of points before CWU hit a stride and scored six straight points to take a 15-12 lead. Anchorage, unfazed, answered with four points to retake the lead. Both teams fell into a pattern with UAA scoring the leading point, followed by the Wildcats tying back up. This pattern would continue into the final points of the set with the teams tied at 23-23. Then, Seawolves got a point to force set point and didn't let the 'Cats have a chance at forcing extra rounds, as Martina Riba and Emma Beck earned the set-winning block to give set three to Anchorage–winning 25-23.
 
Central responded to the loss immediately in set four with a 7-2 run to start. UAA answered with three points to cut the lead to two. The Wildcats then got a 4-1 run to take a five-point lead, but the Seawolves returned the favor with their own 4-1 run. The teams continued to score fairly equal with plenty of opportunities as each side defensively kept their offense going. The 'Cats held the lead and appeared to let the equal momentum keep their lead in steady motion. CWU soon reached match point with a 24-19 lead. Anchorage battled back, though, with two quick points to make it a three-point game. That's as close as the Seawolves would get as a service error from Madison Galloway sealed the win for the Crimson and Black as they won set four 25-21 and took the match 3-1.
 
Up Next
The Alaskan road trip continues for the 'Cats as they head up to Fairbanks, Alaska to take on the #21 UAF Nanooks on Saturday, Oct. 18. First serve from the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium is set for 3:00 p.m. PDT.