MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (16-5, 12-2 GNAC) finished off the week in after sweeping Western Oregon (2-21, 1-14 GNAC) on Saturday night. Western Washington fell to Alaska Anchorage later in the evening, which allowed Central to claim the first spot in the GNAC standings.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"As the match went on we got better in all facets. Our blocking did a nice job slowing down their offense which allowed us to collect a lot digs. We found more offense in sets 2 and 3 and the setters did a nice job keeping WOU off balance. Scottie was a pretty big force as usual and came up with key points to extend our runs. Great road trip for us this late in the season."
 
How It Happened
CWU took all three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-14, and 25-17. Western Oregon had a competitive chance in the first set, but the Wildcats held offensive pressure on in the second and third sets to seal the sweep, as the Crimson and Black took the top spot in the conference.
 
Scottie Ellsworth and Kaitlyn Leaverton both led the team, offensively, as they recorded 11 kills each, followed by Ellie Marble with nine. Leaverton also recorded 12 digs for her second double-double of the week and the season. Kayleigh-Shay Chang fed the offense with 20 assists, followed by Addie Allen recorded 19 assists and led with two service aces. Brooklyn Parker led the defense with 18 digs, while Ellsworth and Kailey Willsey led at the net with four blocks each.
 
Central opened the match with a 6-1 run–taking an early edge. Western Oregon fought back and chipped away at the lead and cut the lead to 10-7. However, the 'Cats got the momentum back on their side–scoring five unanswered points to make it an eight-point lead. WOU responded with a 4-1 run to cut the lead to five, but the Wildcats hit right back with a 6-2 run. The teams continued to trade momentum as the Wolves got a 7-1 run to make it a 23-20 game. Ella Bines got the next kill to give CWU set point. Chloe Asciutto answered for the Wolves, but Bines came right back and scored the set-winning kill to give the Crimson and Black the 25-21 victory in set one.
 
Western Oregon got the edge to start the second set with a 7-4 run. Central responded with three quick points to tie it up at 7-7. The Wildcats then got a 9-4 run to take the lead and put the pressure on. The teams traded a couple of points before the Wildcats' offense unloaded–scoring six straight points to take a 23-13 lead. Maela Honma got a point for the Wolves, but the Crimson and Black answered with two points to take set two 25-14 and take a 2-0 lead.
 
CWU's momentum continued into set three–getting out to a 6-3 lead. WOU got two points to cut the lead to one, but Mackenzie Godden responded with two quick kills to extend Central's lead to three points. The Wolves continued to fight and kept within a couple points of the 'Cats for the next few plays. Then, while leading 11-10, the Wildcats found their chance–going on a 9-1 run to blow the score out and take a 20-11 lead. Western Oregon battled back and tried to cut the lead down as Central slowly approached match point. Honma would get a kill to make it a 17-23 game, but that is as close as the Wolves would get as Ellsworth and Marble got back-to-back kills to shut the door and win set three 25-17 and finalize the sweep over WOU.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats return home to the 'Burg for their final homestand of the season–taking on the Alaska schools starting on Thursday, Nov. 13 when #19 Alaska Fairbanks comes to town. First serve from Nicholson Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.