Central Washington University Athletics

Match 21: Central Washington vs. Alaska Anchorage
Thursday, Oct. 26 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Anchorage, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Center
Stream: Stretch Internet
Live Stats
 
Match 22: Central Washington vs. Alaska Fairbanks
Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Fairbanks, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Court
Stream: Stretch Internet
Live Stats
 
FIRST SERVE
The No. 25-ranked Central Washington University women's volleyball team (15-5, 10-2 GNAC) are set to travel North this week to battle a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponents. The Wildcats will face the University of Alaska Anchorage (14-7, 9-3 GNAC) on Thursday, Oct. 26, with a first serve set for 7 p.m. PST. Central Washington will then go head-to-head with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (10-11, 3-9 GNAC) on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Anchorage is currently riding a four-match winning streak dating back to their five-set victory over Concordia University (Ore.) on Oct. 13. Last week, the Seawolves picked up a pair of victories over Seattle Pacific (3-2) and Saint Martin's (3-1).
 
Leah Swiss leads the Seawolves' offense and ranks tenth in the conference with 268 kills on the season, which is good for a 3.08 kills-per-set average. Chrisalyn Johnson has tallied 249 kills and records 2.86 kills-per-set. Casey Davenport ranks 11th in the GNAC in assists-per-set and runs the UAA offense, totaling 5.97 assists per set. Defensively for the Seawolves, Keala Kaio-Perez ranks fourth in the conference in digs-per-set with a season total of 429. Leading Anchorage at the net is Tara Melton, who has registered 88 blocks. Swiss and Kaio-Perez also excel serving, leading the conference with 45 and 43 service aces, respectively.
 
Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Fairbanks started the season 6-0, but have struggled down the stretch in conference play. The Nanooks have lost six of their last eight matches, including a 2-3 loss to CWU in Nicholson Pavilion on Sept. 28. Last week, the Nanooks fell to Saint Martin's University in four sets but bounced back to beat Seattle Pacific in a come from behind five-set victory.
 
Markie Miller leads the Nanook offense with her 2.54 kills-per-set average, while Gabby Lerma adds in 2.45 kills and 1.86 digs-per-set for UAF. Rachel Nichols and Cate Whiting handle the majority of sets for Alaska Fairbanks, dishing out 5.99 and 4.38 assists-per-set, respectively. Cate Whiting has recorded a team-high 25 service aces on the season and Jenna Hickel has accounted for 370 digs.


CLIMBING THE POLLS
The Wildcats broke into the top-25 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II poll this week, receiving 87 votes. Central Washington has received votes for top-25 consideration in all eight of the AVCA polls this season, but has finally been recognized as a top-25 team after winning ten of their last 11 contests. The Wildcats rank first in the nation in blocks-per-set with 2.95 and rank second in the GNAC with an opposing hitting perentage of .148.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats extended its streak of victories to five after winning a hard fought battle with Concordia University (Ore.) last Saturday in Nicholson Pavilion. Three Wildcats recorded double-digit kills on the evening with junior Shelby Mauritson recording a career-high 24 kills, Maggie McTaggart notching 12 kills, and Bridgette Webb adding in 11 kills for CWU. Senior Sabrina Wheelhouse led Central Washington at the net, tallying a total of seven blocks in the match.
 
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