WWU women advance to NCAA Division II Elite Eight

Western Washington saved its most dominant postseason game for the biggest stage, beating host and top seed Cal State East Bay, 73-59, Monday night in Hayward, California to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament quarterfinal and a trip to Birmingham, Alabama as one of the top eight teams in the nation.

The Vikings, the No. 3 seed in the West Regional, head to the NCAA Elite Eight tournament March 21 for just the third time in coach Carmen Dolfo’s 31 seasons, and for first time since 2013. Western also reached the final eight in 2000.

“I thought my team played great defense tonight,” said Dolfo, Great Northwest Athletic Conference coach of the year. “We shared the ball and found the open court and played really well together. We’re headed to Alabama. We’re excited.”