Game Information: Saint Martin's vs. Central Washington
Thursday, Sept. 27 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash | Nicholson Pavilion
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Game Information: Seattle Pacific vs. Central Washington
Saturday, Sept. 29 | 3:00 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash | Nicholson Pavilion
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Live Stats
FIRST SERVE
The Wildcats are back inside Nicholson Pavilion this weekend. It all starts with a match against Saint Martin's University at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. On Saturday, Seattle Pacific University invades Ellensburg for a match that starts at 3:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Saint Martin's University
The Saints found themselves looking up at plenty of teams in the GNAC standings, going 4-16 in conference play, putting them in 10th place. In the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the Saints were picked to fall to last in the conference. Nearing the midway point of the GNAC schedule, it isn't looking pretty for the Saints. They are 2-10 and after six chances, have yet to win in conference play.
No Saint was chosen for the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Megan Vemoy leads the club with 145 kills, eighth best in conference. She's had an incredibly efficient season, stacking up a .230 hitting percentage. Rachel Gondrezick has had success attacking as well, with 118 kills coming into Thursday's match. Courtney Misner is solid defensively for the Saints, scooping up 219 digs.
Seattle Pacific University
The Falcons were a team that were on the cusp of top half of the conference, finishing sixth in the GNAC with an even 10-10 record. They found themselves in the same spot in the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll. the Falcons 2018 started slow, but the team has found their stride of late. They boast a 7-6 overall record, but are 5-1 in conference play and will ride a five-game winning streak into the weekend.
Gabby Oddo and Symone Tran were picked to be a part of the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. Oddo has lived up to the hype, leading the team with 146 kills on a .195 hitting percentage. Hailey Gaines has become a go to option for the Falcons, adding 97 kills to this point in the season. Tran has set herself apart as one of the best assist makers in the GNAC. She has an eye-popping 439 assists in 46 sets played. That's an average of 9.5 assists per set.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats enjoyed a successful trip down to Oregon, in which they swept the weekend. Last Thursday's match was against Western Oregon. The Wildcats wounded the Wolves 3-1.
Shelby Mauritson led the entire conference with 17 kills that night.
Bridgette Webb was outstanding as well, accumulating 12 kills on a .407 hitting percentage. Defensively, Webb had a season-high 10 blocks against the Wolves.
On Saturday, the Wildcats took on Concordia (Ore), taking the match in decisive fashion 3-0.
Makala Swart was the standout, leading all players with 14 kills. She added 10 digs to her strong night.
Madison Weg was extraordinarily efficient, smashing home 13 kills on a .458 hitting percentage.
FROM THE COACH
"It will be good for the team to be at home and be students," head coach
Mario Andaya said. "Although we will prepare like we do for our opponents, it's nice to get their minds on other priorities to keep a good perspective. Both SMU and SPU pose different challenges, so we will make sure our time is spent wisely to be ready for key matches."
NEXT TIME OUT
The Wildcats play a rare Tuesday match as they travel to Northwest Nazarene for a 7:00 p.m. start. They're back in action on Saturday at 7:00p.m., this time at Montana State Billings.
