BY MAX BAYERN, Assistant Sports Editor 

With a little more on their minds than just volleyball, Central Washington University women’s volleyball’s defeated Northwest Nazarene University in three sets in front of a pinked-out crowd in Nicholson Pavilion, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18.

It was Central’s annual Match for Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Wildcats improved to 9-8 overall, 5-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while Northwest Nazarene dropped to 10-5, 6-3 in GNAC.

The winning point of the match came off a missed serve by Northwest Nazarene which led to a free ball spike by senior middle blocker Erin Smith.

“We had a really good week at practice and that prepared us well for the game,” Smith said.

Smith led the Wildcats in kills for the match, finishing with 12 while hitting .750.

The second set found both teams tied at 20-20, until the Wildcats went on a five-point run to take the set 25-20.

The 343 people in attendance grew louder and louder with every point.

“It’s always great playing at home,” Smith said. “It’s the best feeling ever.”

The third set would proved to be no different in result. The ball seemed to be falling in favor of Central.

Sophomore outside hitter Linden Firethorne dug a ball that sailed over the net and found ground in Crusaders territory. The final point came off a floating ball that Smith tipped into a vacant area for the win.

“We hit a lot of balls out of bounds, but we regained our composure and stabilized offensively,” said head coach Mario Andaya.  “That was a testament to them getting mentally back into it.”

Central ended the night leading in assists (38), aces (six), and blocks (11).

The night meant more for Central’s team and staff.

“My mom is mammography technician… its great to hear the stories she comes home with,” sophomore setter Catie Fry said. “Then being able to support it and play for it.”

Andaya also has a connection with breast cancer.

“My mother and my sister are survivors. They both went through breast cancer and they went through chemotherapy,” Andaya said. “I’m very blessed to have these types of events to raise money for a cause. Its great to see people come out and support that.”

Central looks to the north next week. They travel to Alaska Fairbanks (3-17, 2-7 GNAC) and then take on the GNAC-leader in Alaska Anchorage (15-6, 9-0 GNAC).

“We really want to focus on getting better with our performance goals, really trying to look at how we respond mentally,” Andaya said. “Hopefully these things help us play steady … and let plays happen.”