Game Information: Simon Fraser vs. Central Washington
Thursday, Sept. 13 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash | Nicholson Pavilion
Watch | Live Stats
Game Information: #12 Western Washington vs. Central Washington
Saturday, Sept. 15 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash | Nicholson Pavilion
Watch | Live Stats
FIRST SERVE
The Central Washington University volleyball team hosts the first pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches this weekend. The home opener takes place on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. against Simon Fraser. Then on Saturday, #12 Western Washington pays Nicholson Pavilion a visit for a huge match that starts at 7:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Simon Fraser
The Clan finished fifth in the GNAC in 2017, going 12-8 in conference play with an overall record of 15-13. In the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the Clan were picked to finish third, one spot behind the Wildcats. The team has experienced a start to the 2018 season, going 4-4 to open the year. They split their opening weekend of conference play, picking up a 3-1 win over Saint Martins before falling 3-1 to Seattle Pacific.
Tessa May was a unanimous selection in the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. She leads the team with 94 kills, averaging 3.03 kills per set. She's racked up 20 total blocks. Julia Tays was also selected for the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Tays is an intigral part of the Clan offense. She's assisted on 311 of the teams 362 kills.
Western Washington
The Vikings were nearly unstoppable in 2017, going 19-1 in conference play, taking the GNAC title. They were the unanimous favorites to win the GNAC title again in the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll. As expected, the Vikings have played well to begin. The beat CSU San Bernardino 3-2 on August 30. They opened GNAC play with wins over Seattle Pacific 3-0 and Saint Martin's 3-0.
Abby Phelps, Michaela Hall and Brette Boesel were all selected to be a part of the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Phelps leads the Vikings with 150 kills and is averaging 4.05 kills per set. Hall has chipped in with 79 kills this season. Boesel has been running the Viking offense, accumulating 409 assists on the season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats opened GNAC play in the last frontier, becoming one of just three teams that became 2-0 in conference play. The Wildcats took care of the University of Alaska Fairbanks 3-0 last Thursday night. Makala Swart set a career-high with 20 kills in that game. Then on Saturday, the Wildcats scratched past the University of Alaska Anchorage 3-2. Sarah Joffs led all players with 16 kills. Julia Mellander set a career-high in blocks, racking up nine against the Seawolves.
Gabrielle Aihara continues to thrive as the team's setter. She had 100 assists, including a season-high 54 against the Nanooks. Kyla Morgan had 63 digs, including 37 against the Nanooks, an early season best for her as well.
FROM THE COACH
"It will be nice to prepare and compete at home," head coach Mario Andaya said. "We are playing two very good teams, so we will need to be at our best. School is starting soon and campus is active, so it will be nice for our players to experience student-life as well."
NEXT TIME OUT
On September 20, the Wildcats travel to Monmouth, Oregon to take on Western Oregon. Then on September 22, the Wildcats will be at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Both matches are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
