Game Information: Central Washington vs. Western Oregon
Thursday, Sept. 20 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Monmouth, Ore | New PE Building
Watch | Live Stats
Game Information: Central Washington vs. Concordia (Ore)
Saturday, Sept. 22 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Portland, Ore | LCEF Court
Watch | Live Stats
FIRST SERVE
The Central Washington University volleyball team aims to get back to their winning ways during a trip to Oregon for Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. On Thursday, the Wildcats take on Western Oregon at 7:00 p.m. Then on Saturday, it'll be the Wildcats battling Concordia (Ore) at 7:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Western Oregon
The Wolves finished last in the GNAc in 2017, sporting a 3-17 record in conference play. In the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the Wolves were picked to improve one spot from their efforts last year. The team has experienced an average start to the 2018 season, going 5-6 with a 2-2 conference record to open the year. They split both of their opening weekends, most recently picking up a 3-1 win over Saint Martin's on the road.
The group didn't have any representation in the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Mariella Vandenkooy is leading the team with 104 kills this year, averaging 2.67 per set. She's also one of the top defenders on the team, digging up 112 attacks. Lella Holt has been outstanding from behind the service line, accumulating 21 aces this season. Defensively, Morgan Haskett has blocked 45 attacks for the Wolves.
Concordia (Ore)
The Cavaliers were a team that finished near the middle of the pack in 2017, going 8-12 in conference play, landing them in a tie for eighth place. They were selected to finish seventh in the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll. The Cavaliers are above .500 by a game to open up the year with a strong 3-1 GNAC conference record.
No Cavalier was picked to be a part of the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. They've experienced a balance offensive attack, as Jessica Wheeler, Tori Johnson and Camille Guerrero have just 11 kills separating them. Wheeler leads the group with 77 kills. Defensively, Callie Wilkins has been excellent, keeping 220 attacks from hitting the floor. Alyssa Rose leads the group with 34 total blocks.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats split their GNAC home opener last weekend, taking a 3-1 win over Simon Fraser before falling in three sets to Western Washington. Makala Swart put together a strong weekend, racking up 30 kills in 7 sets of work for an average of 4.3 per set. Gabrielle Aihara was a couple assists high of tying her season best of 54, when she helped 52 times against Simon Fraser. She finished the weekend with 86 assists. Julia Mellander had a great night against Simon Fraser. She converted at .400 clip, coming up with 10 kills.
FROM THE COACH
"I'm looking forward to seeing our growth from this past weekend," head coach Mario Andaya said. "We have lots to build on but also some moments we need to make sure we learned from. We have to make sure that we're not content with staying to our current level, but try to raise the bar a bit. The loss showed us somethings and I'm excited to work on those to get us ready for the next challenge."
NEXT TIME OUT
The Wildcats return home to host a pair of teams from western Washington. On Thursday, September 27, Saint Martin's pays a visit to Nicholson Pavilion at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday September 29, Seattle Pacific is in town for a match that also starts at 7:00 p.m.
