ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington volleyball team hits the road to open the second half of conference play. The 'Cats begin their trip up in Canada to take on Simon Fraser (B.C.) before stopping in Bellingham to take on the No. 19 Vikings at Western Washington.
 
Previously this year the 'Cats stunned then No. 15 Western Washington with a 3-1 win at home, followed by a 3-0 sweep of Simon Fraser as a part of their 8-0 record at home.
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Thursday, October 21^st
7:00 PM
Vs. Simon Fraser (B.C.)
West Gymnasium
Burnaby, British Colombia.
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Saturday, October 23^rd
7:00 PM
Vs. No. 19 Western Washington
WECU Court at Carver Gymnasium
Bellingham, Wash.
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"Round two of conference is always exciting with tons to play for.  Our goal has not changed as we are still striving to be the best we can be at the end of the year.  Simon and Western are two contenders that are looking forward to playing us on their home court, so we know the challenge this week brings." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.
 
SCOUTING SIMON FRASER
Simon Fraser currently sits 12-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play. Since their last matchup with the 'Cats, they have gone 5-1. Most notably is the teams 3-1 win over Alaska Fairbanks alongside losing to Alaska Anchorage. Simon Fraser sits 3^rd in the GNAC standings behind Alaska Anchorage and Western Washington. As a team, Simon Fraser leads the GNAC in kills with 791, averaging 13.41 per set in 59 total sets.
 
Leading the Simon Fraser offense is freshman Brooke Dexter. The right-side hitter has led the GNAC conference all season in kills with 251 total on a 4.25 per set average. Dexter is also second on the roster in both service aces with 13, and digs with 154 and a 2.61 per set average. She also has 33 blocks to her line. Behind Dexter is the senior setter Julia Tays. Tays is the GNAC leader in assists with 556 total and a 10.90 average. The setter also has a total of 18 blocks and 42 kills. The backbone of Simon Fraser rests in senior defensive specialist and libero Bianca Te. Te has accumulated 221 digs this season and 11 service aces.
 
SCOUTING THE No. 19 VIKINGS
Since the shock of a 1-3 loss in Ellensburg to the 'Cats, the Vikings have gone on to win six straight matches by way of 18-5 in sets. Most notably the Vikings lead the GNAC conference in blocks with 156.5 total and a 2.57 average. The Vikings are 11-4 on the season and 7-1 in conference play sitting in the No. 2 spot behind Alaska Anchorage.
 
The Viking offense is led by sophomore pin hitter Calley Heilborn. Heilborn holds 196 total kills to her name on a 3.21 per set average. She also leads the Vikings in both service aces with 20 and digs with 237. Throw in 39 blocks to her name, and Heilborn is essential to the Vikings everywhere on the court. Behing Heilborn is sophomore Malia Aleaga. The setter has 436 of the Vikings 722 assists.
 
WILDCATS THIS SEASON
Still leading the 'Cats this season is sophomore Ashley Kaufman. The outside hitter has been a key element in the 'Cats rotation putting up 172 kills, 136 digs, and 18 blocks. Kaufman has the ability to create pressure from the sides, and the back row.
 
Directing the 'Cats offense are sophomore setters Tia Andaya and Sydney Remsberg. Both setters are currently dead even with 294 assists and a 5.07 per set average. Remsberg leads the 'Cats lineup with 21 service aces on the season. Andaya is a dual-purpose player, and has found 130 total kills, 139 digs and 33 blocks to add to her line.
 
Behind the 'Cats offense is GNAC digs leader Hannah Stires. The freshman averages 4.72 digs per game, and has amassed 274 this season. In front of Stires plays GNAC block leader Emma Daoud-Hebert. The freshman who recently earned her spot in the rotation has put up a commanding 1.47 block per set average and 47 total in only 32 sets.