ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (3-0) went undefeated for the CWU Invitational after defeating Chaminade (1-2) in four sets in front of an excited Nicholson Pavilion crowd Saturday, Aug. 29.
Quoting Head Coach Lauren Herseth
"Chaminade challenged us the entire match and we had to grind that out point for point. Nothing was easy and we could feel that on our side, but our ability to fight for the right things got us across the finish line. Everyone stepped up in the 4th set and I'm so proud of our group's response — that was a statement."
How It Happened
Central found strong opportunities throughout the first two sets to take the 2-0 lead. Chaminade had a strong start in set three to hang on to take the victory and cut the match lead to one but set four was all CWU as they won the final set 25-7 to claim victory and go perfect for the Invitational.
The 'Cats outscored the Silverswords 69 to 54 while obliterating the blocking stat 14-4 and were led
Ellie Marble and
Corinne Westby with 14 kills each. Marble also recorded three service aces, while
Kayleigh-Shay Chang kept the offense flowing with 21 assists, followed closely by
Addie Allen with 20 assists. Defensively, Marble led with 17 digs, followed by
Brooklyn Parker with 16 and Westby with 12, giving Marble and Westby double-double performances. The Wildcat front line was well represented with
Hayli Tri recording eight blocks,
Kennedy Webb and
Kailey Willsey had six each.
First Set
The first set began competitively with both teams battling to keep the score with one point. Then, Chaminade found a stride and scored seven points to take a 13-6 lead. Central got a 2-1 run to cut into the lead and then found an eight-point run to take a 16-14 lead. That two-run was all CWU needed to hang on as each team traded points and the Crimson and Black took set one 25-23.
Second Set
Chaminade opened the second set with three quick points and then built on its lead to make it a 10-3 lead early on. The Wildcats cut into the margin to make it a four-point lead, but the Silverswords held a steady through the halfway point of the set. The Crimson and Black continued to battle and chipped away at the lead, finally tying the set at 19-19. The teams then traded points at the tie became 22-22, then it became all Central, scoring the next three points to take set two and take a 2-0 lead.
Third Set
Both teams traded points to start set three before the Silverswords went on a 11-1 run to claim a 16-5 lead. CWU battled to chip away at the score, but Chaminade continued to find scoring chances, reaching set point at 24-18, and Allison Panter recorded the set-winning kill to take set three and make it a 2-1 CWU lead.
Fourth Set
Set four saw Central take control and never let go, opening the set with a 9-1 run. Every point scored by Chaminade was answered by a Wildcat run. The Crimson and Black continued to build its lead into the 20s before Chaminade found a two-point run, scoring their sixth and seventh points before the 'Cats closed out the set with a kill from Marble to force match point, and then a bad set sealed the victory for CWU, taking the match 3-1 to remain undefeated in the first week of the season.
Up Next
The Wildcats head out on the road next week to Pomona, Calif., for the Cal Poly Pomona Tournament starting on Thursday, Sep. 3 as they take on the hosting Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. First serve from Kellogg Arena is set for 2:30 p.m.
