Central Washington University Athletics

Christian Bond

Game Information: Central Washington vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks
Thursday, Sept. 6 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Fairbanks, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Court
Watch | Live Stats
 
Game Information: Central Washington vs. University of Alaska Anchorage
Saturday, Sept. 8 | 7:00 p.m. PST
Anchorage, Alaska | Alaska Airlines Center
Watch | Live Stats
 
FIRST SERVE
The Central Washington University volleyball team opens Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with a trip to the last frontier. Action starts on Thursday with a match against University of Alaska Fairbanks at 7:00 p.m. Then on Saturday, the Wildcats take on the University of Alaska Anchorage, also slated for 7:00 p.m.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The Nanooks finished in the bottom half of the GNAC in 2017, going 5-15 in conference play, 12-17 overall. In the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the Nanooks were picked to finish seventh. The team has experienced a slow start to the 2018 season, going 2-5 to open the year. They've picked up wins over Western New Mexico University 3-1 and Barton College 3-0.
 
Lahra Weber returns as the team's leading attacker. As a freshman in 2017, she racked up 258 kills for an average of 2.39 per set. Markie Miller was a key contributor as well, converting on 230 attacks for an average of 2.42 kills per set. Defensively, Kim Wong was a problem near the net for opponents. She had 56 blocks on the season. Wong was chosen for the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team.
 
University of Alaska Anchorage
The Seawolves ended 2017 tied for third place in the GNAC, sporting a 14-6 conference record and were 19-11 overall. In the 2018 GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the Seawolves were chosen to finish fourth, tied with Northwest Nazarene. It's been an average start to 2018 for the Seawovles, as they've been greeted with a 6-7 start. They played the same team's the Wildcats did last weekend in Irvine, California, taking wins over all but CSU East Bay, a team the Wildcats swept.
 
Chrisalyn Johnson was a unanimous selection for the 2018 GNAC preseason all-conference team. She had 372 kills, 3.05 per set. She's solid from behind the service line, accumulating 31 on the year. Casey Davenport was another preseason all-conference team selection. Davenport had an outstanding 884 assists in 2017. Tara Melton was strong near the net, blocking 113 attacks.
 
 LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats took a trip to Irvine, California, where they took on four important western region opponents. The Wildcats won all four matches, dropping just two of the 14 sets they played. Shelby Mauritson and Makala Swart were named to all-tournament team. Mauritson had 65 kills for a weekend average of 4.7 per set. She had a weekend-high of 22 kills against CSUSM. Mauritson added 53 digs and three blocks. Swart had 59 kills, including 18 against Concordia (Calif). She added 44 digs and three blocks.
 
Gabrielle Aihara had a spectacular weekend. The Newberg, Oregon native amassed 189 assists for an average of 13.5 per set. She added seven service aces and five kills. She had a weekend-high of 53 assists against CSUSM. Kyla Morgan led the Wildcats with 70 digs over 14 sets, including a weekend-high of 26 against CSUSM. She had 11 service aces.
 
FROM THE COACH
"I think we are in a good place right now heading into GNAC play," head coach Mario Andaya said. "We've been competitive at home and on the road which is critical in this region. There is not night off in the GNAC and we have to be at our best against each school. Fairbanks is a good team who plays even better at home. They have some dynamic middles and big arms, so we have our work cut out. Anchorage is physical and gritty as always. They have some new pieces that we have to look at but also very good experienced players set the bar pretty high."

NEXT TIME OUT
On September 13, the Wildcats have their GNAC home opener against Simon Fraser at 7:00 p.m. Then on September 15, they host Western Washington University, also scheduled for 7:00 p.m.