ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (21-5, 12-4 GNAC) fell Saturday night to the University of Alaska Anchorage (17-6, 13-3 GNAC) in a five-set battle to the end, as the Wildcats were led by the seniors in their final home match.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"We played hard, but Anchorage played better. Anchorage kept swinging and continued to make plays to extend the rally. We competed and created chances, but Anchorage was a step ahead of us most of the night and played better."
 
How It Happened
The teams traded each set into the fifth set, but Anchorage broke the mold–winning the fourth and fifth sets to achieve victory. Both teams battled heavily in each set with the victorious team only winning their respective sets by less than three points. Overall team stats were nearly equal with UAA holding a narrow lead offensively with 86 points over CWU's 84. Kills were similar with the Seawolves leading a 68-64 count. Central performed well at the net, though, out-blocking UAA 16-11.
 
The Wildcats were led by their seniors, offensively, with Scottie Ellsworth recording 24 kills and Ella Bines logging 15 kills. Ellie Marble led the service line with two aces, while Kayleigh-Shay Chang kept the offensive flowing with 30 assists, with Addie Allen right behind her with 28 assists. Brooklyn Parker held down the defensive efforts with 34 digs, while Ellsworth and Kailey Willsey guarded the net with seven blocks each.
 
Anchorage opened the scoring with a 7-2 run for the early lead. Central responded with five straight points to tie it up at 7-7. The teams went into a strong back-and-forth battle as neither side gave an edge. The Wildcats found the first chance to break away–going on an 8-4 run to take a 20-17 lead. The chances continued for the 'Cats as they hit a 4-2 run to force set point. But UAA didn't make it easy, scoring three straight points to cut the lead to two. However, Marble didn't let the Seawolves get any closer, as she found the set-winning kill as the Crimson and Black took set one 25-22.
 
Both teams battled right out of the gate to open the second set with neither side giving any chances to the other side. The score continued to rise, but the lead never got further than four points. Each team's offense found very prosperous scoring opportunities as set two showed the most offensive production. The Seawolves were on the lucky end, forcing set point at 24-20, but CWU responded with two big kills and a service ace from Allen to cut the lead to one. However, Lee Ivakina shut the door on CWU–winning the set for UAA 25-23 to tie the match at one set apiece.
 
Central opened set three with a big 5-1 run before the Seawolves came right back with a 7-3 run to tie it back up at 8-8. The Wildcats found opportunities to rebuild their lead, but Anchorage kept it close as the score continued to rise on both sides. Then, while leading 17-16, the 'Cats scored four unanswered points to make it a five-point game. However, UAA answered right back with four of their own to make it a 21-20 score. Central found three more points to force set point. After two responding points from the Seawolves, Ellsworth found the set-winning kill to give the Crimson and Black the 25-22 victory and the 2-1 lead.
 
The fourth set saw Alaska Anchorage put its offense into a new gear–opening the set with a 5-1 run. The Wildcats had a chance to stop the rush with a 4-2 run, but then, the Seawolves hit into high-gear and went on a 9-3 run to blow the score open and take a 16-8 lead. The 'Cats showed that they weren't down for the count, though, and went on a 7-2 run to make it a three-point lead. The teams traded points going down the line, as UAA approached set point–reaching it with a 24-19 lead. Central again showed perseverance and score three straight to cut the lead down to two points. However, Tia Allen spoiled the comeback chance and got the set-winning kill to give Anchorage the 25-22 victory and forced set five.
 
The Seawolves didn't waste any time–going on an 8-2 run to start the final frame as the teams switched sides at the halfway point. Central showed that one can never count them out of a set, as the Crimson and Black responded with an 8-4 run to make UAA's lead go down to a 12-10 lead. The Seawolves found their chances to get the next two points, though, and forced match point at 14-10. Ellsworth found the answer for CWU and score the next kill and then earned a block that originally was called out of bound, but official review determined the play to go in favor of the Wildcats. However, the next play saw Anchorage finish off the 'Cats as Bella Burney earned the match-winning kill to give UAA the 15-12 win, and the 3-2 victory.
 
Up Next
The Crimson and Black hit the road one final time this season to take on its cross-state rival in #15 Western Washington on Thursday, Nov. 20, and then will travel to Burnaby, B.C., to take on #12 Simon Fraser on Saturday, Nov. 22, as the top spot in GNAC is still open for grabs.