ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Aug. 18) – The Central Washington University women's soccer and volleyball teams have both began their quest to challenge for a Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship Monday. Both teams reached the postseason a year ago with the volleyball team being selected to the NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament.
 
Volleyball
Mario Andaya is entering his 19^th season as head coach of the Wildcats, and his goals are set high, as his team has made the National tournament each of the past two seasons.
 
"We have many goals we want accomplish this year, but right now our focus is on becoming a better team," Andaya said. "We have 17 days until our season begins and each day is another opportunity for us to focus on the things that will help us achieve our goals."
 
The volleyball team has a host of returners from 2013, led by All-American setter Catie Fry (Tacoma, WA, Mount Si). Fry averaged 10.62 assists per set last season and currently ranks fifth all-time in with 10.14 assists per set and ninth with 1673 total assists. She totaled 1058 assists last year and if she keeps that pace she will become the second best setter in school history, in terms of total assists.
 
Also returning is all-GNAC first-team selection Kaely Kight (Spokane, WA, Mead). From her libero position she led the 2013 Wildcats with 548 digs, which was the third best season performance in school history. She trails only All-American Brandie Vea (2007-10) on the all-time digs list by just 349.
 
Juniors Linden Firethorne (Clinton, WA, South Whidbey) and Rachel Hanses (Yakima, WA, West Valley) are the teams top returning hitters, averaging 3.09 and 2.55 kills per set respectively last season. In total the volleyball team returns 13 players who saw playing time last year.
 
The Wildcats start their season off at home with the Inaugural Hampton Inn Wildcat Volleyball Invitational on Sept. 4-6 as they play host to some of the regions most elite teams. Five of the teams playing in the tournament, including CWU, were among the eight teams selected to the NCAA West Regional Tournament.
 
Soccer
Last season the Wildcats finished the season with an 11-6-1 record and earned the second seed in the GNAC Tournament.
 
In his 15th season at the helm, Head Coach Michael Farrand expects the Wildcats to build upon the success from a year ago.
 
"We had a lot of fun last year, but last year is over and done with," Farrand explained. "We are focused on getting back into the tournament and giving ourselves the best chance at making 2014 a memorable season."
 
Leading the Wildcats will be senior Danielle Brandli (Bellevue, WA, Interlake). Last season the midfielder led the Wildcats in goals and points with nine and 16 respectively, including four game-winning goals. Her play last season earned her all-GNAC and Daktronics All-West Region first-team honors, and she was selected to the NSCAA All-West Region second-team.
 
In goal, Kayla Lipston (Federal Way, WA, Decatur) comes of the best season of her career where she made the all-GNAC second-team. She boasted a career-best 84.6 save percentage and allowed just 0.88 goals per game, which was also a career-high. She currently ranks second in CWU history at 1.11 goals allowed per game and fifth all-time in total saves with 184.
 
The 2014 squad will feature 12 returners and 13 newcomers. Of those 13 new faces is sophomore Keilin Farrand (Ellensburg, Wash., Ellensburg ), the younger sister of Hadli Farrand (Ellensburg, WA, Ellensburg) and daughter of Michael Farrand. Keilin was named the North Idaho College Newcomer of the Year last season.
 
The soccer team starts their season on a four-game road trip starting with Cal State Monterey Bay on Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.
 
Season tickets for Wildcat volleyball home matches are available here or by calling 509-963-1429. Soccer tickets can be purchased at the game.