Friday, November 16, 2018

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Central Washington gave Cal State San Bernardino all they could handle in the NCAA Division II Volleyball West Region semifinals Friday night, taking a set from the No. 2 seeded Coyotes before falling in four sets, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20, at Carver Gymnasium.

The No. 6 seeded Wildcats baffled the Coyotes in the opening set, opening up a 17-9 lead midway through the frame before going on to the 25-17 victory as CWU finished a .268 hitting percentage in the frame. Cal State San Bernardino rebounded to take the second set convincingly, limiting the Wildcats to just nine kills.

The Coyotes dominated early in the third, building as much as a 17-5 lead, but the Wildcats battled back to come within 24-23 on Bridgette Webb’s kill before D2CCA West Region Player of the Year Alexis Cardoza closed out the set. Cal State San Bernardino never held more than a four-point lead in the fourth set. Webb and Madison Weg brought the Wildcats within three points on a block that made 23-20 before kills by Cardoza and Mikaela Grove closed out the match.

Senior outside hitter Shelby Mauritson closed out her career with a double-double of 14 kills and 10 digs to lead Central Washington. Sophomore outside hitter Makala Swart finished with a double-double of 13 kills and 21 digs while junior setter Gabrielle Aihara had a double-double of 39 assists and 17 digs.

Cardoza led Cal State San Bernardino with 26 kills, Grove added 12 kills and junior middle blocker Sascha Dominique contributed 11 kills. Senior setter Jayann DeHoog finished with a double-double of 56 assists and 21 digs.

With the loss, Central Washington finishes the season with a 23-6 overall record.