Central Washington University Athletics

POMONA, Calif. - The Central Washington University volleyball team (4-2) battled unbeaten Cal State San Bernardino point-for-point in the opening set, but the Coyotes capitalized on a strong defensive effort to earn a three-set victory Saturday afternoon in the Bronco Classic finale at Kellogg Arena.
 
Quoting Head Coach Lauren Herseth
"We made some system changes heading into this match, but San Bernardino just out paced us the whole way. We couldn't slow down their offense and set 3 got away from us."
 
How It Happened
The Wildcats battled the Coyotes in the final match of the Bronco Classic but fell in three sets, 29-27, 25-16, 25-15, to close the weekend. Central pushed the Coyotes to extra points in a tightly contested opening set before running into a tough blocking defense that recorded 14 team blocks and limited the Crimson and Black to a .046 hitting percentage. Individually, Ellie Marble led CWU with eight kills and 10 digs, while Corinne Westby added six kills and two service aces. Hayli Tri chipped in five kills, Kailey Willsey led the 'Cats at the net with four blocks, Kayleigh-Shay Chang dished out a team-high 20 assists, and Brooklyn Parker anchored the back row with 11 digs.
 
First Set
Central faced an early deficit and trailed by as many as seven points at 12-5 before beginning its comeback in the opening set. Kills from Kennedy Webb, Willsey, Westby, and Marble helped the Wildcats steadily chip away at the advantage, while service aces from Webb, Marble, and Westby trimmed the deficit to 18-15. Cal State San Bernardino maintained control late and built a 23-20 lead, but the 'Cats responded with a strong push behind kills from Marble and Westby to tie the set at 23-23 and again at 25-25. The teams traded points into extra rallies before the Coyotes closed the set on a late kill and service ace to claim a 29-27 set victory.
 
Second Set
The 'Cats stayed within striking distance throughout much of the second set, battling to a 5-5 tie early and later closing within 10-9 behind kills from Marble and Tri and strong blocking from Webb and Willsey. Cal State San Bernardino gradually created separation with several extended runs, building a 20-14 advantage as the Crimson and Black struggled to find offensive rhythm. Central continued to compete down the stretch with points from Tri, Webb, and Parker, but the Coyotes maintained control and closed out the set, 25-16, to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Third Set
Central hung with CSUSB early in the third set, trading points through the opening rallies and staying within 8-4 behind kills from Tri and Westby. The Coyotes gradually created separation with a series of long runs, building a 15-9 advantage despite points from Westby, Marble, and Addison Mills. The Wildcats continued to battle, getting kills from Tri and Marble and a block from Westby and Tri, but Cal State San Bernardino maintained control throughout the set. The Crimson and Black pulled within 24-15 late on back-to-back Marble kills, but the Coyotes answered with the final point to secure a 25-15 win and complete the three-set sweep.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats close out their time in the Bronco Classic tomorrow, Sept. 5, as they take on No. 23 Cal State San Bernardino. First serve from Pomona is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.