Game Information: Central Washington vs. Northwest Nazarene
Tuesday, Oct. 2 | 6:00 p.m. PST
Nampa, Idaho | Johnson Sports Center
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Game Information: Central Washington vs. Montana State Billings
Saturday, Oct. 6 | 6:00 p.m. PST
Billings, Mont. | Alterowitz Gymnasium
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Live Stats
FIRST SERVE
A rare Tuesday night match awaits the Wildcats in Nampa, Idaho at 7:00 p.m. when they take on Northwest Nazarene. On Saturday, the Wildcats take on Montana State Billings, also slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Northwest Nazarene University
The Nighthawks made noise throughout the Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball season a year ago. They boasted a 16-4 record, and powered their way to a second-place finish in 2017. In this season's GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the Nighthawks were chosen for a fourth-place tie with Alaska Anchorage. In the final weekend for first time meetings between GNAC opponents, the Nighthawks season hasn't been too bright. They are 4-11 overall, with an average 4-4 record in conference play.
No Nighthawks were found on the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Abbey Blum has been a constant provider for her team, leading the group with 172 kills on the year. Their next best attacker is Cami Heninger, whose stocked up 138 kills. A pair of setters have helped make the Nighthawk offense run effectively in Megan Nelson and Mckenzie Lee. Nelson leads the club with 340 assists, while Lee has helped teammates 203 times. Defensively, the Nighthawks have allowed teams a .227 hitting percentage, second highest in conference. They rank last in blocks with an average of 1.48 per set.
Montana State Billings
The Yellow Jackets had a tough go of it in 2017, finishing in a tie for eighth place in the GNAC. The coaches of the GNAC picked them to end up in ninth place in 2018. The Yellow Jackets had a strong pre-conference season before things turned south against familiar opponents. They started conference play 6-2. Now they are 7-10, with a 1-7 GNAC record.
Izela Alverez is the only Yellow Jacket selected to be a part of the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Alverez is averaging 4.33 digs per set with a total of 286 digs on the year. She finds herself in 10
thin the GNAC Digs leaders list. Maddi Vigil, Miranda McConnell, Bayli Monck and Riley Moore have over 100 kills this season. Vigil leads the team with 172 kills.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats were happy to be back on their home court inside Nicholson Pavilion last weekend. The team took on Saint Martin's on Thursday, as the Wildcats set aside the Saints 3-0. The Wildcats put up outstanding offensive statistics.
Makala Swart led all players with 15 kills, while
Shelby Mauritson and
Bridgette Webb had 13 kills of their own. Webb did so with an incredible .526 hitting percentage.
On Saturday, the Wildcats hosted Seattle Pacific in a rare 3:00 p.m. start time. The Wildcats flew past the Falcons 3-1.
Madison Weg exploded with 17 kills and seven blocks for the Wildcats.
Sarah Joffs added steady aid, racking up eight kills and three blocks.
Over the weekend,
Kyla Morgan accumulated 48 digs in seven sets action. Her average of 6.9 per set helped her become the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week.
FROM THE COACH
"NNU and MSUB are competing well and everyone is getting better," head coach
Mario Andaya said. "This road swing is tough and unique. We'll need to do somethings better than we did last weekend to be successful but I like our teams mentality, so we are pretty conscious about the the work that needs to be put in be ready for very good opponents."
NEXT TIME OUT
The GNAC Schedule roles over as the Wildcats start to take on teams for a second time. A tough test looms on October 11, when the Wildcats play at Western Washington. Then on October 13, it'll be the Wildcats against Simon Fraser at 7:00 p.m. in Burnaby, British Columbia.
