ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (9-4, 5-1 GNAC) kicked off its homestand with a strong 3-1 victory over the Western Oregon Wolves (1-13, 0-6 GNAC) Thursday night.
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"Western Oregon served hard, passed well and played good defense. We didn't pass well, but our passers remained gritty and came up big when we needed it most. Offensively, we had trouble scoring but found some big kills at crucial times."
How It Happened
The Wildcats defeated the Wolves after splitting the first two sets and then finishing strong with wins for sets three and four. The Wildcats were led by Ellie Marble, who scored 12 kills in the match, followed by Corinne Westby with 11, and Kailey Willsey with nine. Willsey also led at the service line with two aces, while Addie Allen kept the offense rolling with 24 assists. Defensively, Payton Davis led with 14 digs, while Mackenzie Godden led at the net with six blocks.
The match started out with both teams playing well, as neither gave the other side an edge. Central found a narrow lead to hold two points on the Wolves as both teams continued to battle for control of the momentum. The Wildcats got another run–scoring three more points to make it an 18-14 lead. However, WOU answered with four points to make it tied up, but the 'Cats returned the favor with four of their own to reclaim the four-point lead. The teams traded the next couple of points but with the score at 24-20 and set point placed for CWU, Ella Bines knocked the ball down to give the Crimson and Black the 25-20 victory in set one.
Central opened the second set with a couple runs to take the narrow lead as WOU kept the game close. Western Oregon finally found a stride and scored five straight points to lead 13-9. The teams traded a point each, and then Central found two quick points to cut the lead to two. Both teams battled strongly as WOU continued to hold its lead, but CWU would respond with three points to make it a one-point lead. The Wolves found a couple of points to build their lead, but the Wildcats clawed back to keep the score within one. The teams traded a point each and then Western Oregon found some rhythm and scored three straight points to win set two 20-21 and tie the match at one game apiece.
WOU came out of the gate quickly in the third set, going on a 6-2 run. Central responded with two points, and then the teams traded points as the Wolves held a three-point lead. The Wildcats then found an answer, scoring three points to tie it up at 7-7. Western Oregon responded with two points, but the 'Cats found a rhythm and went on a six-point run to take a 13-9 lead. WOU answered with a four-point run to tie it at 13-13, but Central took another run and scored five more points to make it 18-13. The Wolves then worked to chip away at the lead while the WIldcats fought to hold onto it. Then, down four points, WOU went on a four-point run to tie it up at 22-22. CWU responded with two points to force set point. Then, following a block and Wolves points, Westby found the winning kill to take set three 25-23, as the Crimson and Black took a 2-1 lead in the match.
Central opened the fourth set with a 3-0 run. Western Oregon answered with a 4-1 run to tie the game. Both teams went into a stretch as CWU scored a run of points, and WOU answered to tie. The battle continued into the double-digits as the teams were deadlocked in a heated competition. Then, the Wildcats broke away to get a 16-13 lead. The Wolves got a point but were answered with two more points from CWU. Western Oregon battled to try and close the margin and got close at times, but the Crimson and Black held the lead at the score rose and ultimately closed out the match with another kill from Westby as the Wildcats took set four 25-20 to win the match 3-1.
Up Next
The Wildcats remain home for one more match on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they take on the visiting Saint Martin's Saints with first serve set for 1:00 p.m.
