Volleyball | 9/17/2009 9:31:34 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Oregon took its first step towards defending its Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball title, Thursday, Sept. 17, as it took down Central Washington in four sets, 25-12, 25-22, 16-25 and 25-19.

The win gives the Wolves (4-8, 1-0 GNAC) seven straight conference victories, dating back to last season, and 19 consecutive wins overall at the NPE Building. The loss dropped the Wildcats' record to 8-4.

Laura Sakala, a senior middle blocker from Beaverton, Ore., dominated as she hammered down 11 kills with no errors in 21 attempts for a .524 hitting percentage. Danielle Reese had her fourth consecutive double-double with 22 digs and a team-best 16 kills. Amy Herron's 26 assists paced the Wolves.

Western Oregon jumped out to a 1-0 lead for the first time this season as it won the opening set 25-22. The Wolves would carry that momentum through the second set with a 25-12 win to take a 2-0 match lead into halftime. CWU responded after the break jumping on top of WOU early and holding on for a 25-23 set win. The Wolves, however, still had a run in them as it opened the fourth set with five straight points before going onto the 25-22 win.

Last season, Western Oregon went 15-1 in the GNAC and qualified for the NCAA West Regional.

Next, the Wolves will take on Western Washington, Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m. WWU was tabbed as the pre-season conference favorite by the GNAC coaches. The Wolves only league lost last season came at the hands of the Vikings in Bellingham, Wash.