BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (2-0) continued to find its winning ways as the Wildcats swept #11 Cal Poly Pomona in their second game in the WWU Invitational Friday afternoon in Bellingham, Wash.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"Our defense and serving was key this match. We stayed active in transition and worked to find points. Cal Poly Pomona is very good offensively, so to slow them down and keep them to 39 kills was super impressive."
 
How It Happened
The 'Cats found opportunities at the right times to seal the sweep against the Broncos–occasionally coming from behind to take victory away from CPP. Kaitlyn Leaverton led in kills with 10 total—followed by Scottie Ellsworth and Ella Bines with seven each. Kayleigh-Shay Chang performed well from the serving line with four aces. Hayli Tri led the team at the net with four blocks–followed by Bines with three, while Brooklyn Parker led the defense with 11 digs. Addie Allen led the team in sets with 16 assists in the win.
 
The match started out with both teams competing heavily with neither team gaining an edge. Central eventually found a stride–slowly building a lead to make it 18-14. Cal Poly Pomona fought back and was able to cut the lead to two, but two errors gave CWU a 22-18 lead. The Broncos got one more point before the 'Cats closed out the set with three straight points capped off by a Tri kill, winning 25-19.
 
The teams began set two with an even amount of pressure as the score rose but remained close. CPP found the first edge–scoring three points to lead 9-7. The Wildcats answered with three of their own to retake a 10-9 lead. The Broncos then found a rhythm and went on a 5-1 run to take a three-point lead. Central, again down, clawed its way back and eventually tied the set back up at 18-18. Then the 'Cats hit a 4-1 run to make it 22-19. The Broncos didn't go down easy though–responding with a 4-2 run to trail 23-24. With set point looming, the Crimson and Black found success in Bines, as she hit the set-winning kill to give CWU a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set started with each team getting streaks of points. The Broncos started off with a three-point run, before Central answered with its own three points. CPP repeated with another three straight point, but the Wildcats broke the mold with a six-point run to make it 9-6. The Broncos got a kill but was answered with another three points from CWU. The teams traded points for a moment before Cal Poly Pomona hit a four-point streak to tie the set at 13-13. Both teams traded the next couple points but then it was Central's turn to hit a stride and score five straight points to make it 19-15. The Broncos held up a fight as they came within two points before the 'Cats hit four more points to set up a 24-18 score and match point. CPP would get the next two points for a glimmer of hope, but Leaverton would shatter those chances as the sophomore hit a spike that deflected off a Bronco before flying out of play, giving the Crimson and Black the victory and sealing the upset in a sweeping fashion.
 
Up Next
The 'Cats close out their time in the WWU Invitational tomorrow, Sep 6, when they take on St. Cloud State. First serve against the Huskies is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. from Carver Gym.