BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University volleyball team recorded a doubleheader sweep over in-state rival Central Washington on Saturday to improve to 7-1 during the abbreviated spring season.
 
After falling behind 2-0 in the afternoon match, the Vikings rattled off six consecutive set victories to record the sweep of the Wildcats (1-6). Game scores were 23-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-16, 15-11 in the first match and a straight-sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-18 win in the evening.
 
"This was a good weekend for us on so many levels. We obviously didn't start very well, but credit CWU for their fast start," said WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "I was proud of our team for finding the process and sticking with it to gain momentum. Our middles did an awesome job moving the ball around and that's due to our ball handlers and setters putting them in position to score."
 
Sophomore All-American outside hitter Calley Heilborn led the Vikings averaging 3.12 kills and 3.25 digs per set, totaling 26.5 points in the two matches.
 
Sophomore middle Anna Maracich did not make an attack error in the two matches, recording 15 kills (2.50 kills/set) on a .625 hitting percentage. She also recorded seven total blocks against the Wildcats.
 
WWU's all-around team effort also included standout performances by junior Tess Biscup (2.60 kills/set, .345), junior middle Olivia Fairchild (2.60 kills/set, .333) and junior middle Chloe Roetcisoender (2.20 kills/set, .435). Senior opposite Alison Davenport recorded 13 kills and had a pair of service aces.
 
Sophomore libero Kasey Woodruff tallied a team-high 31 digs (3.88 digs/set) to lead the defense, and paved the way from the service line with three aces.
 
Sophomore Malia Aleaga (10.20 assists/set) and senior Janae Payne (9.00 assists/set) split setting duties in the sweep, guiding the offense to a combined .279 attack percentage in the two matches. Payne recorded a career-high 37 assists in the second match with WWU hitting .287 as a team.
 
The Vikings return to action next weekend with a pair of matches in Ellensburg against CWU.
  Kills - Heilborn (16), Biscup (13), Roetcisoender (11)
Aces - Woodruff (3), Aleaga (1), Davenport (1)
Blocks - Roetcisoender (6), Biscup (3), Maracich (3)
Assists - Aleaga (51), Payne (8), Davenport (2)
Digs - Woodruff (17), Heilborn (15), Davenport (14)
  Kills - Maracich (9), Fairchild (9), Heilborn (9)
Aces - Lologo (1), Davenport (1), Heilborn (1)
Blocks - Maracich (4), Fairchild (4), Davenport (3)
Assists - Payne (37), Woodruff (3), Davenport (2)
Digs - Woodruff (14), Lologo (13), Davenport (11)
  According to the WWU Volleyball Record Book, the Vikings lead the all-time series vs. Central Washington 75-43-1 with a current 10-match winning streak. Western has also won 15 consecutive matches against CWU inside Carver Gym.
  The Vikings (7-1) are scheduled to return to the court next Saturday (May 8) traveling to play CWU in a doubleheader in Nicholson Pavilion. Matches vs. the Wildcats are scheduled for noon and 5 pm, with both featured in a live webcast via CWU's YouTube channel.