Women's Volleyball | 10/5/2016 3:51:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 5) – The Central Washington University volleyball team reignites its rivalry with Western Washington on Thursday (Oct. 6) in Bellingham, before heading north of the border to Burnaby, British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. 
 
"Not only is there a rivalry match Thursday, but both matches will have big implications regionally," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  "The outcomes will no doubt play a big part on how the conference and region will shake out, but really we are just looking forward to playing two really good teams and see where we stack up."
 
As the Great Northwest Athletic Conference currently stands, the Clan and Wildcats are tied for second at 5-1.  The Vikings are tied for fourth with Northwest Nazarene at 4-2. 
 
"I don't think we are the underdogs, but I do think these are two teams we have to get by to know we are getting better, and are a legit contender," Andaya added.  "Western is never hard to get up for.  You beat them and it confirms your team is good, plus you feel great beating your rival.  Simon Fraser has always been a tough match for us, so we're going in knowing we have to leave it all out there to beat them."
 
The Wildcats split the season series last year against Western Washington, but each team won away from home.  Central recorded a 3-1 victory in Bellingham.  Kiah Jones notched 19 kills in the match, while Sabrina Wheelhouse recorded six blocks last October.
 
Western Washington is coming off a 2-0 week with a pair of road victories over Concordia (3-0) and Western Oregon (3-2).  Abby Phelps earned GNAC Offensive Player of the Week, averaging 3.38 kills per set.  Phelps leads the Vikings with 166 kills overall.  Arielle Turner (141), Kayleigh Harper (129), and Michaela Hall (108) have all eclipsed the century mark as well.
 
The Vikings are No. 20 in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll, they were ranked as high as No. 6 during the 2015 campaign. 
 
Defensively, Harper leads the Vikings with 56 total blocks.  Brette Boesel and Kristina Tribley have recorded 319 and 263 assists, respectively.
 
Following Thursday's rivalry match, the Wildcats cross into British Columbia where Simon Fraser awaits them.
 
The Clan's only loss on the conference schedule came against Alaska Anchorage, who is currently unbeaten in GNAC play.
 
Emma Jennings and Devon May lead Simon Fraser's attack.  Jennings has recorded 151 kills, while May has 146.  Tessa May (122) and Christine Howlett (115) have also reached the century mark.  Tamara Nipp has handled the setting duties for the Clan, dishing out 575 assists so far.
 
Simon Fraser has recorded 104 blocks as a team, averaging 2.04 per set. 
The Wildcats enter the week as the nation's best blocking team, averaging 2.8 per set.  Central has already posted 142 total blocks.  Erin Little (64) and Sabrina Wheelhouse (61) lead the Wildcats in total blocks.   Wheelhouse is currently third in the nation, averaging 1.53 blocks per set.
 
Jones and Madison Weg lead the Wildcats' offense with 135 kills each.  Gaby Aihara has dished out 292 assists, while Nikki Cook has 250.
 
Defensively, Kyle Morgan has picked up 220 digs.  Shelby Maurtison has recorded 126, while Lindsey Milner has 108.
 
First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both days.