ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (6-4, 2-2 GNAC) capped off a perfect weekend in Nicholson Arena on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 19 Alaska Fairbanks in straight sets.
Quoting Head Coach Lauren Herseth
"I'm impressed with how we operated start to finish, but our defense was the difference maker today. At the net we contained some of their best stuff and our floor defense went to work which allowed our offense to get hot. I'm really proud of our group for putting together two great matches this weekend against two very good opponents."
How It Happened
Central put together another efficient performance on both sides of the net, hitting .309 as a team while limiting Alaska Fairbanks to a .100 attack percentage. The Wildcats controlled the match with 38 kills, eight blocks, four service aces, and a balanced offensive attack that saw multiple players contribute throughout the afternoon.
Ellie Marble led the Wildcats with 13 kills while adding an ace,
Corinne Westby chipped in 10 kills, and
Kailey Willsey recorded six kills and three blocks.
Hayli Tri anchored the defense at the net with a match-high five blocks while
Kennedy Webb added three blocks and five kills.
Kayleigh-Shay Chang and
Addie Allen split the setting duties with 15 assists each, while
Brooklyn Parker paced the back row with 17 digs.
First Set
Central came out aggressively, scoring the first four points of the match behind a Chang service ace and three consecutive Nanook attacking errors. The Wildcats maintained control through the opening half of the set, building a 10-4 advantage after kills from Westby and Marble. Alaska Fairbanks responded with a 6-1 run to trim the deficit to 11-10, but Central answered immediately. Consecutive kills by Westby and Marble helped the 'Cats regain momentum before pushing the lead to 16-10. The Nanooks made one final push, cutting the margin to 22-18 late in the frame, but Marble delivered a pair of kills down the stretch, and an Alaska Fairbanks attack error sealed the 25-19 opening-set victory.
Second Set
The second set was tightly contested early, with the teams tied at 5-5 after the opening exchanges. Central found separation with a 5-1 run fueled by back-to-back kills from Willsey and a Marble finish that gave the Wildcats a 10-6 advantage. UAF stayed within striking distance and pulled within 12-11 midway through the set before the Crimson and Black responded. A block from Godden and Tri sparked a momentum swing, and kills from Marble, Westby, and Tri helped extend the lead to 20-14. Marble added a service ace late in the frame and Westby delivered the match's final kill of the set as the 'Cats secured a 25-18 win and moved within one set of the sweep.
Third Set
The Nanooks grabbed an early 3-2 lead in the third set before the Wildcats settled in. Central used consecutive blocks from Willsey and Webb and a Willsey kill to build a 9-4 advantage. Alaska Fairbanks cut the deficit to 9-7 and later stayed within four points at 15-11, but the Wildcats never surrendered control. Westby recorded key kills on consecutive possessions and a pair of blocks involving Tri helped extend the lead to 18-13. Central continued to apply pressure behind strong serving and defense, stretching the margin to 21-16. Marble and Willsey delivered late kills to move the Wildcats to match point before Marble finished off the sweep with her 13th kill of the afternoon for the 25-18 victory.
Up Next
The Wildcats return to the road next week for GNAC action, beginning Thursday night at Western Oregon in Monmouth, Ore., before taking on Saint Martin's on Sunday at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.
