BY MAC CLARK, Staff Reporter

A slow start spoiled Central Washington women’s volleyball’s home opener on Thursday at Nicholson Pavilion, losing to Alaska Anchorage in three sets, 25-15, 25-21, 12-25, 25-20.

“We have to pass better,” Wildcats’ head coach Mario Andaya said. “And once we do that…things will start to settle for us. We have to be able to handle their servers better.”

The Wildcats dropped to 5-5 overall and 1-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Alaska Anchorage improved to 8-6 overall, 3-0 in GNAC.

Alaska Anchorage raced out the gates and won the first two sets. Central tried to mount a comeback attempt by winning the third set, 25-12. Their momentum was short-lived, however, as the Seawolves won a tight fourth set, 25-20.

“I thought Anchorage took it to us,” Andaya said. “They were more physical. We lost all control and we never stabilized ball control.” Andaya said.

During the three sets the Wildcats’ they lost, Central hit .144 percent of their kill attempts. In the Wildcats’ win during the third set, Central hit for a blistering .583. Senior outside hitter Emmy Dolan led the Wildcats with 11 kills while redshirt sophomore setter Catie Fry had a match-high 37 assists.

Central could not stop the Seawolves’ outside hitters. Katelynn Zanders and Julia Mackey combined 30 kills.  The Wildcats only managed 10 blocks throughout the match.

The Wildcats will look to rebound this Saturday against the University of Alaska Nanooks (2-12, 1-2 GNAC) at 7 p.m. at Nichoolson Pavilion.