Women's Volleyball | 10/26/2016 5:11:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 26) – The Central Washington University volleyball team is on the road for a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches this week.  The Wildcats take on Seattle Pacific University on Thursday (Oct. 27) and Saint Martin's on Saturday (Oct. 29).
 
The Falcons enter the week with an 8-12 overall record and a 4-8 mark in the GNAC.  They have lost three straight matches, but boast a 4-2 record in the confines of their own gym.
 
When Seattle Pacific and Central played the first leg of the season series earlier this season, the Wildcats notched a 3-2 win.   
 
Gabby Oddo leads the Falcons' offense, generating 3.41 kills per set.  She has recorded a team high 252 kills.  Symone Tran has dished out 780 assists as the Falcons work out of a 5-1 offense.
 
"SPU is always a great challenge for us," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  "They create a lot of chances on their side from their defense, so we need to stay aggressive and sure about our game plan."
 
Defensively, Tran (255) and Oddo (237) find themselves amongst the top of the dig leaders for the Falcons.  The outright leader is Amanda Ganete with 374.  Seattle Pacific has picked up 198 blocks on the season, averaging 2.54 per set.  Leading the net play is Shaun Crespi (121) and Hannah Lautenbach (68).
 
The Saints are 6-10 overall and have posted a 2-10 recorded in the GNAC.  Saint Martin's has not recorded a win since Oct. 11, over Evergreen State, and have not recorded a GNAC victory since the 3-1 victory over Montana State Billings.
 
"SMU has some strong arms we have to contend with, and a defense that can cause some discomfort," Andaya noted.  "We really have to stay composed and physical against them to get an upper hand."
 
The Wildcats swept the first half of the season series in Ellensburg.
 
Rebecca Mitchell leads the offense with 178 kills.  Nicolette Nesbitt has dished out 374 assists, while Dani Williams has notched 193.
 
Defensively, Vegas Casey leads with 43 blocks.  Cassidy Apo has recorded 25 digs.
 
The Wildcats have won three of their last five and are sitting at 8-4 in the GNAC.
 
"I like what we are doing right now in practice," Andaya acknowledged. "If we can transfer those things into these matches we can expect to be very competitive."
 
Central leads the nation in blocking, averaging 3.02 blocks per set.  Sabrina Wheelhouse is second in the country, individually, averaging, 1.68 blocks per set.
 
First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. both days.