The WSU Cougar volleyball team faced No. 9 University of Washington for the Apple Cup Series. This was their final game of the 2019 volleyball season. The Cougars won 3-2.

Redshirt freshman setter Hannah Pukis surpassed her season-high of 16 with 17 digs.

“I’m really proud of the way they battled the great Washington squad,” head coach Jen Greeny said.

Freshman middle blocker Magda Jehlárová led the team in kills at 12 kills.

The WSU Cougars (23-9, 12-8) and the Washington Huskies (24-6, 15-5) played a close game throughout the first set. The Cougars took the first set and won 25-23, the final kill made by Jehlárová. Senior libero Alexis Dirige made six digs for her team.

Washington led the second set, but WSU was not able to catch up. Washington won 25-21. Jehlárová led the first half in blocks with a total of six. Jehlárová and redshirt senior middle blocker Jocelyn Urias led in kills, both scoring four.

The Cougars brought their game back and led throughout the third set. The Cougars were victorious and won 25-20 after an attack error by the Huskies. Jehlárová scored four kills for her team again.

Washington kept a tight front on their side of the net and won the fourth set 25-15. They tied with WSU, 2-2.

The Cougars kept good tempo in the fifth set, which led them to a 15-13 win. The final kill was made by freshman outside hitter Alexcis Lusby.

“This was a very nerve-wracking game … it was essential to getting us into the NCAA volleyball championship,” Jehlárová said.

“We’re all unbelievably happy,” freshman outside hitter Pia Timmer said.

Washington led the hitting percentage at .194 and WSU finished behind at .131.

Greeny said it is awesome to have won such a tight match.

WSU last played Washington at home on Sep. 25. They won 3-1.