Women's Volleyball | 10/12/2016 3:16:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 12) – The Central Washington University volleyball team plays host to both the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks in a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches.
 
The Wildcats are coming off a 1-1 week, in which they swept Simon Fraser after falling to Western Washington. 
 
It is another tough week for Central Washington.  The Wildcats first host No. 8 Alaska Anchorage on Thursday (Oct. 15). 
 
The Seawolves are riding a 17-match winning streak.  They have compiled an 18-1 record overall and have not lost in conference.  Their only loss of the season came on August 26 against Chaminade, 0-3.
 
"Alaska Anchorage will be another test to see where we are at," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  "They will be one of the most physical teams we face, so we look forward to seeing how we stack up against a strong hitting and blocking team.  They pose some difficult match-ups for teams, so we will have to pick our battles and see who we can try and slow down.  Our main focus is still on us, as we need to play to our strengths and make sure we are forcing pressure as well.  If both teams are playing well it should be a pretty good battle."
 
Leah Swiss leads Anchorage's offense.  She has tallied 227 kills, averaging 3.49 per set.  Chrisalyn Johnson (166), Diana Fa'amausill (156), and Erin Braun (140) have all eclipsed the century mark in kills.
 
Morgan Hooe handles the setting duties the Seawolves, as she has compiled 628 assists thus far on the campaign.  Anchorage averages 2.51 blocks per set, led by Erin Braun (78) and Fa'amausill (74).
 
On Saturday, the Wildcats take on the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  The Nanooks come into Ellensburg on Pink Night.
 
The Wildcats will don pink in honor of those affected by breast cancer.
 
The Nanooks are 2-13 overall and 1-7 in the GNAC.  Last week, they fell in both matches against Concordia and Western Oregon.  They have not recorded a win since September 15 against Seattle Pacific.
 
Amberly Jeane leads the Nanooks with 139 kills, averaging 2.36 kills per set.  Maddie Davis is close behind with 128 kills. 
 
"Fairbanks have been very competitive in most of their matches, so we know they are playing well and are very dangerous," Andaya noted.
 
Saturday's match concludes Homecoming athletic events, as football is scheduled to play that before at 1 p.m.
 
Homecoming is a fun time around here," Andaya said of homecoming.  "We are looking forward to playing in front of our awesome crowd and our alumni coming back for the weekend."
 
 Jordan Deming has found her stride for the Wildcats in recent matches.  The senior compiled 19 kills last week on just 39 attempts.  She had a hitting percentage of .445 on the week.  Deming has posted three straight matches of nine or more kills.
 
Kiah Jones leads the Wildcats in kills with 150.  Madison Weg is just shy at 147, while Shelby Mauritson has posted 146.
 
Gaby Aihara and Nikki Cook have posted 322 and 281 assists, respectively.
 
The Wildcats are second in the country in blocks per set, averaging 2.78.  Anchorage sits behind the Wildcats, while Black Hills State (2.83) is the only team to beat the Wildcats blocking this season.
 
Sabrina Wheelhouse is now third in the country in blocks per set, individually, at 1.50.
 
First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Thursday and Saturday.