Women's Volleyball | 9/28/2016 11:54:00 AM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 28) – The Central Washington University volleyball team recorded a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference wins last week and look to do the same this week.
 
The Wildcats host Saint Martin's on Thursday and Seattle Pacific University on Saturday. 
 
"Our goal is to continue to improve and focus on what we need to do to get better," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said.  "SMU and SPU pose different challenges we will address, but our main focus is improving on the things we need to do to play better volleyball.  We have more in us offensively than we're showing, and in order to be successful against good defensive teams like SMU and SPU we will have to force more points.  We'll work on it and see what happens."
 
Saint Martin's enters the week with a 5-3 overall record and a 1-3 mark in GNAC play.  After opening the season on a four-game winning streak, the Saints have lost three of their last four.
 
The only GNAC win Saint Martin's has mustered on the season was a 3-2 victory over Alaska Fairbanks.
 
Rebecca Mitchell leads the Saints wit 90 kills.  Behind her is Rachel Gondrezick (77) and Megan Vernoy (76).
 
The Saints have utilized a 6-2 system with Dani Williams and Nicolette Nesbitt handling the setting.  Nesbitt has racked up 164 assists, while Williams has notched 137.
 
Vegas Casey leads Saint Martin's with 23 total blocks.  Cassidy Apo has recorded 117 digs, a team high.
 
Seattle Pacific enters the week at 5-7 overall and 1-3 in the GNAC.  The Falcons are just 4-6 outside of Brougham Pavilion this year and they have not won against the Wildcats since 2012.
 
The Falcons are currently tied fifth in Division II in blocks per game (2.50), 14^th in total blocks (115), and 32^nd in attacks per game (38.07). 
 
Shaun Crespi ranks fifth individually in total blocks (64) and seventh in blocks per game (1.39).
 
Gabby Oddo leads Seattle's offense with 157 kills.  Hannah Lautenbach has recorded 99 kills.  Symone Tran has dished out 427 assists.  
 
The Wildcats, meanwhile, look to continue their elite blocking that ranks second in the nation.  Central Washington has delivered 2.72 blocks per set, just behind Black Hill State (2.93).
 
Sabrina Wheelhouse sits third in the nation at 1.50 blocks per set, while Erin Little is 20^th at 1.20.
 
Leading the Wildcats' attack is sophomore Shelby Mauritson with 128 kills.  The Oregon native is averaging 2.84 kills per set.  Madison Weg has notched 123 kills and a hitting efficiency of .282.  Senior Kiah Jones is third in kills at 122.
 
Freshmen Nikki Cook and Gaby Aihara have handled the setting duties for Central, dishing out 229 and 254 assists, respectively.
 
The Wildcats look to continue a strong effort at home in Nicholson Pavilion.
 
"The students and crowd were incredible, and really generate a fun environment." Andaya noted. "Looking forward to another week at home."
 
First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both days.