The Central Washington Wildcats Volleyball team lands 3^rd for the GNAC Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll. The Wildcats also had two athletes, Ashley Kaufman and Tia Andaya earn selections to the Preseason All-Conference Team.

RETURNING TO A FULL SCHEDULE
"History has shown how good the GNAC is and for many of our players that's all they can go by.  We have a lot of players who are going to see action for the first time in their career this season, and I couldn't be more excited for them to experience a conference race." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

The Wildcats last full season was in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the safety of athletes being the highest priority, the Wildcats were only able to play seven games this last season. In 2019 the Wildcats finished with an 18-11 overall record, 13-7 in the GNAC conference tying for 3^rd with Simon Fraser. The Wildcats fell to #1 Ranked Cal State San Bernardino in the NCAA Division II West Regional.

This year, the Wildcats still behind Western Washington (1^st) and Alaska Anchorage (2^nd) who are slated to repeat their top two positions.

SOPHOMORE DUO EARN ALL-CONFERENCE
Sophomores Ashley Kaufman and Tia Andaya both earned their first Preseason All-Conference Selections.

"AK has mixed it up in the GNAC and the NCAA Tournament, and Tia brings playing experience in the very competitive West Coast Conference. Both are two of the few battle tested players on the roster, so it's cool the coaches recognized them" Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

Kaufman, who did not play last year due to an injury, was a key element for the Wildcats in 2019. In the GNAC conference Kaufman was ranked 19^th in kills per set (2.5), 20^th in digs per set (2.96), 11^th in aces per set (.35), and 19^th in points per set (3.0). She appeared in 29 matches and played in 112 sets for the Wildcats.

Andaya, fresh off a transfer from Gonzaga, was an All-WCC Honorable Mention and WCC All-Academic Honorable mention. During the spring of 2021, Andaya appeared in 18 matches amassing 699 total assists, leading the team with 9.58 per set and placing herself 10^th all-time in assists per set in a single season. In the 2019 season she played in 68 sets finishing with 226 assists, 69 digs, 6 blocks, 5 service aces and five kills.

For the full GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll Release click HERE.