Central Washington University Athletics

ANCHORAGE, Alaska. - The Central Washington University volleyball team earned a strong road victory Saturday night, defeating RV Alaska Anchorage 25-10, 25-19, 23-25, 28-26 at the Alaska Airlines Center. The Wildcats improved to 13-4 overall and 9-2 in GNAC play while extending their winning streak to nine matches.
 
How It Happened
Central put together a strong performance, hitting .283 while holding Alaska Anchorage to a .118 attack percentage. The Wildcats finished with 60 kills, 11 blocks, 66 digs, and 54 assists against a Seawolves squad that entered the match with a 14-7 overall record.
 
Corinne Westby led the offense with 20 kills while hitting .372, while Kailey Willsey added 18 kills on an outstanding .654 hitting percentage. Brooklyn Parker led the defense with 20 digs, while Kayleigh-Shay Chang and Addie Allen combined for 49 assists. Central also controlled the net throughout the match, led by Hayli Tri's six blocks and Mackenzie Godden's five.
 
First Set
The Wildcats stormed out of the gates and never looked back in the opening frame. CWU scored the first six points of the set and quickly stretched the advantage to 12-1 behind strong serving from Chang and VanderYacht. Westby, Tri, and Marble fueled the offensive attack while the Wildcats' defense forced Alaska Anchorage into a -.278 hitting percentage. Although the Seawolves mounted a brief rally behind three consecutive service aces from Mary Nahinu, Central responded with a 5-0 run to regain complete control. Westby recorded back-to-back late kills, and an Anchorage attack error sealed a dominant 25-10 set victory.
 
Second Set
The second set proved more competitive, but Central once again held the upper hand. After falling behind 6-4 early, the Wildcats responded with an 8-2 run powered by kills from Willsey, Westby, and Tri. A series of blocks from Willsey, Godden, and Tri helped Central build a 22-16 lead. Alaska Anchorage closed within five points late in the set, but CWU finished strong. Westby provided the final kill as the Wildcats secured a 25-19 win and took a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
Third Set
The Seawolves found their rhythm in the third set and gradually chipped away at Central's momentum. The Wildcats led for much of the frame and held advantages as large as six points, but Anchorage rallied behind Lee Ivakina and Kyana Gabriel. A late 4-0 run gave the Seawolves a 22-21 lead, their first advantage of the set's closing stages. Marble tied the score at 23-23 with a kill, but Alaska Anchorage answered with consecutive points to claim a 25-23 victory and extend the match.
 
Fourth Set
The final set featured eight ties and multiple lead changes as both teams battled for control. Alaska Anchorage built a 20-15 advantage midway through the set, putting the Wildcats on the brink of a deciding fifth frame. The 'Cats responded with its best stretch of the night. Kills from Westby and Willsey, combined with a block from Godden and Willsey, sparked a comeback that tied the score at 21-21. The teams traded points down the stretch before a Chang service ace evened the score at 23-23. After the Seawolves fought off one match point, Central regained control. Marble delivered a clutch kill to make it 27-26, and Willsey followed with her 18th kill of the night to secure the 28-26 victory and complete the four-set win.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats return home to Nicholson Arena next week for a pair of GNAC contests. Central will host Saint Martin's on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. before welcoming Western Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. as the Wildcats look to continue their eight-match winning streak.