ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Eve Stephens had nine kills and four blocks, but the Alaska Anchorage volleyball team could not slow hot-hitting Central Washington on Saturday as the Wildcats earned a 26-24, 25-13, 25-16 victory in a battle of regionally ranked clubs at Nicholson Pavilion.

The Seawolves (17-9, 10-4 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) – ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Div. II West Region playoff race – were outhit .364 to .133 and outdug 30-13 in settling for a season split against the Wildcats (13-7, 9-5).

Central Washington – No. 7 in the West – was led by 12 kills from outside hitter Ashley Kaufman, while Shaunessy Fisk served seven aces. The victory extended the Wildcats' home winning streak to 10 matches and pulled them within a match of UAA in the league standings with four contests remaining for both teams.

The Seawolves had an opportunity to take the early advantage, but could not capitalize after a Wildcat attack error gave them a 24-22 lead in the opening set. Following a Central Washington timeout, the hosts rallied for the next four points, getting the tying and clinching kills from Marianna Payne.

The Wildcats raced to a 6-0 lead in the second, and they trailed only briefly in the third, grabbing a 13-6 advantage and pulling away.

Freshman outside hitter Mahala Kaapuni had eight kills, junior setter Ellen Floyd had 20 assists and two aces, and junior middle blocker Akor Mayin tied Stephens with a team-high four block assists for UAA.

The Seawolves continue their four-match road trip Monday at 6 p.m. AST when they face nationally ranked and league-leading Western Washington in Bellingham. Surf to GoSeawolves.com for links to live video and stats.