Women's Volleyball | 9/14/2016 2:54:00 PM
ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 14) – The Central Washington University volleyball team opens its Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule after going 4-0 at the Division II West Region Showcase. The Wildcats enter the week at 4-4.
"I think a lot of GNAC teams gained some momentum after last weekend, so opening weekend will showcase some pretty good battles," CWU Head Coach
Mario Andaya said." Concordia has a pretty solid lineup, and are coming off some good wins. They have active middles, one who we didn't play last year but was very successful for them in previous seasons. Their outsides and opposite are all scoring a lot of points, so they pose a lot challenges for us defensively."
Central takes on Concordia (Ore.) on Thursday (Sept. 15) before heading to Western Oregon on Saturday (Sept. 17).
The Cavaliers are 4-4 overall. They finished 2-2 in both tournaments they played during their non-conference schedule.
Brenna Huwe leads Concordia with 104 kills and a hitting efficiency of .264. Michele Brown has handled the setting duties for the Cavs, racking up 315 assists in the first eight matches. The Cavaliers have amassed 64 service aces, 18 of which have come from Lindsey Dorsey.
Defensively, Anna Dols has recorded 124 digs. Colby Barnette leads the Cavs with three solo blocks and 24 block assists.
Concordia is 2-2 in their own confines. The Wildcats took both matches in five sets against Concordia last season.
Western Oregon sits at 3-4 on the season and will debut at home on Thursday (Sept. 15) against Northwest Nazarene.
The Wolves have won three straight matches after starting the season 0-4.
Alisha Bettinson has notched 92 kills, a team high. No other Western Oregon player has reached 60 kills on the season. As a unit, the Wolves are hitting .198. Maddie Mehciz has reprised her role as the Wolves' setter. She has dished out 256 assists in 2016.
The Wolves have only recorded 37.5 blocks thus far. Pagie Orth has notched two solo blocks and 17 block assists.
"Western Oregon returns two physical outside hitters, and as a team show pretty good size and power," Andaya noted. "They seem to be playing hard, and are also coming off some good wins."
The Wildcats are looking to open their conference play on a bright note, after winning their last four matches.
Sophomores
Shelby Mauritson and
Madison Weg lead the Wildcats with 85 kills and 79, respectively. Senior
Kiah Jones sits third with 73. Freshmen
Gaby Aihara and
Nikole Cook have split setting duties tallying 165 and 141 assists, respectively.
Sabrina Wheelhouse leads the Wildcats with 42 blocks, six of which are solo. The Wildcats have notched 76 total blocks on the season.
"Our goal is to continue to improve on what we do and create chances against everyone we play," Andaya finished. "Conference will play out in the end, but if we worry about how we want to finish we may find ourselves off track. This team does well when we stay in the moment, so if we go in to Concordia prepared and excited to play it should be a good battle."
First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Thursday and Saturday.
