ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (13-5, 9-2 GNAC) kicked off the homestand with a big sweep over Seattle Pacific (8-12, 3-9 GNAC) Thursday night in front of a rowdy Nicholson Arena crowd.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"We fired on all cylinders which was nice to see. Rinnie, Ellie, and Brooklyn were passing great which helped us get into system and find kills. Addie and K-Shay did a fantastic job with the offense allowing us to hit very efficiently. They get no breaks in practice, and they are still energetic and ready to give it their all every night. Good win against another tough opponent."
 
How It Happened
The Wildcats' offense found a rhythm and never let off to defeat the Falcons in three straight sets by scores of 25-14, 25-11, and 25-17, respectively.
 
The Crimson and Black were led by Ellie Marble, offensively, as she scored 10 kills in the victory, followed by Ella Bines and Corinne Westby, who had seven kills each. Westby also recorded three aces alongside Kayleigh-Shay Chang, while Addie Allen led the team in assists with 18. On the defensive side, Brooklyn Parker made big saves with her team-leading 18 digs, while Mackenzie Godden held the front line with three blocks, followed by Bines and Marble with two blocks each.
 
Seattle Pacific came out quick to open the match–going on a 3-1 run early. Central responded with a 4-2 run to tie the game at 5-5, but the 'Cats weren't done–proceeding to go on a 12-3 run to blow the score out and take a 17-8 lead. The teams traded the next few points as CWU led 19-11. The Wildcats then hit a series of two-point runs to push the score to 23-14, and Westby would finish off the set with back-to-back kills to win set one 25-14 for the Crimson and Black.
 
The 'Cats continued their momentum into the second set with seven-point run to open the set. Both teams traded the next three points, but then Central clicked back into gear and scored six more points to take a 15-3 lead. The Falcons found a pair of points, but CWU responded with another multi-point run. The pattern continued up until the Wildcats got a 23-7 lead. Then, SPU got a 4-1 run to try and attempt a comeback, but with set point looming, an attack error from the Falcons sealed the deal and gave Central the 25-11 victory and the 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set began on a more competitive note from both teams as SPU got an early 3-2 lead before the 'Cats got three straight points to make it 5-3. Megan Omlid got the Falcons a point to get within one, but CWU answered with four points to build its lead. The match continued the competitive nature as the Falcons refused to give up, but the Wildcats kept producing offense and steadily built on the lead. However, SPU found a spark and went on a five-point run to cut the lead to two. The teams traded a point. The Falcons appeared to be back in the game, but then the Crimson and Black found its own spark and scored six unanswered points to force match point at 24-16. SPU would get a point to break the run, but the 'Cats came right back as Marble gave a soft touch into the near corner and the Falcons couldn't recover, as Central takes set three 25-17, and busted out the brooms to seal the sweep.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats are home once again as the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets come into town on Saturday, Nov. 1. First serve from Nicholson Arena is set for 1:00 p.m.