Game Information: Concordia (Ore) vs. Central Washington
Thursday, Oct. 18 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash. | Nicholson Pavilion
Watch | Live Stats
Game Information: Western Oregon vs. Central Washington
Saturday, Oct. 20 | 3:00 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash. | Nicholson Pavilion
Watch | Live Stats
FIRST SERVE
For the first time since September 29, the Central Washington University volleyball team competes in Nicholson Pavilion in front of their home fans. Concordia (Ore) is Ellensburg on Thursday for a match at 7:00 p.m. Then on Saturday, Western Oregon takes on the Wildcats at 3:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Concordia (Ore)
It's been a pedestrian season for the Cavaliers in 2018. They sport a 9-10 overall record, going 6-6 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. They picked up a significant conference win at home against Simon Fraser by a score of 3-1.
The Wildcats played the Cavaliers on September 22 in Portland, Oregon. The Wildcats conquered the Cavs 3-0. Makala Swart had an excellent night on both sides of the net. Swart led all players with 14 kills while adding 10 digs. Madison Weg was efficient offensively, converting 13 attacks on a .458 hitting percentage.
Concordia ranks last in hitting percentage in the conference, converting on just .149 percent of their attacks. The Cavaliers do convert on their serves, averaging 1.58 aces per set, landing them at third most in the conference. Jessica Wheeler leads the Cavaliers with 142 kills on the season. Tori Johnson and Elyssa Rose play solid offensive roles, racking up 114 and 112 kills respectively. Despite the teams deficiency, Rose has a .293 hitting percentage, seventh best in conference. Emily Zink is the catalyst of the offense. She's assisted 286 times this season. Defensively, Callie Wilkins doesn't let the ball hit the ground. She averages 5.60 digs per set, second most in conference behind Kyla Morgan's 5.94.
Western Oregon
The Wolves have struggled for most of 2018. They're 5-14 overall with a 2-10 record in GNAC play. The only conference wins they've obtained came against Concordia (Ore) on September 4, in four sets. They've also beat Saint Martin's. It happened in four sets on September 15.
The two teams did battle on September 20 in Monmouth, Oregon. The Wildcats wounded the Wolves 3-1. Four Wildcats reached double figure kills on the evening. Shelby Mauritson led everyone with 17 kills. Bridgette Webb had 12 kills on a .407 hitting percentage, stuffing 10 blocks defensively. Webb's contributions earned her GNAC Defensive Player of the Week.
The Wolves find themselves a spot away from last in conference in hitting percentage. They make good on just .152 percent of their attacks. They rank last in the GNAC with 10.54 assists per set. Mariella Vandenkooy is the team's leading attacker. She ranks 20th in conference with 2.55 kills per set. She's had 168 kills on the season. Leila Holt is deadly from behind the service line. She's second in conference with .41 aces per set. Her teammate Descinda Slaughter ranks seventh in the same category.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats faced two tough opponents in last week's contests. The week started with a match against #6 Western Washington in Bellingham. The Vikings sailed past the Wildcats 3-0. Morgan reached 1,500 career digs with her fifth dig of the match. A mark that Morgan and CWU can be proud of.
On Saturday, the Wildcats were in Burnaby B.C. to take on Simon Fraser. The Clan took advantage of having home court, seeping the Wildcats 3-0. The Wildcat offense struggled immensely, hitting a dismal .148 for the match. Mauritson led the club with 12 kills, Weg had six blocks and Gabrielle Aihara finished with 16 digs.
FROM THE COACH
"It's nice to be in our own beds for sure, as well as having some time to works through some things in our own gym," head coach Mario Andaya said. "We need to improve in a lot of aspects but we need to pass and serve a lot better than we are right now. Teams have had a chance to see each other now and the second round will be important to prepare for, but if you can't pass and serve well everything becomes even more difficult. We're looking forward to see that improve and see where it takes us."
NEXT TIME OUT
The Wildcats final conference road trip starts with a match against Seattle Pacific on October 25. Then on October 27 the Wildcats take on Saint Martin's. Both matches are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
