ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington volleyball team travels to Billings, Montana, and Seattle, Washington, to take on the Yellowjackets and Falcons in their opening week of GNAC play.

MATCH INFORMATION
Thursday, September 16^th
6:00 PM
Vs. MSUB Yellowjackets
Alterowitz Gymnasium
Billings, Mont.
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Saturday, September 18^th
2:00 PM
Vs. SPU Falcons
Brougham Pavilion
Seattle, Wash.
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GNAC COMPETITION
"The GNAC is off to a strong start, so we are anticipating the season to be a grind for everyone. First time around in conference is always a bit of a mystery as teams are still sorting out some stuff. We are anticipating very tough physical matches in any case." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

The Yellowjackets currently sit 3-5 overall after opening their season with the Yellowjacket Invitational and Hawaii 2021 Challenge. Coming off of a five-game losing streak, the Yellowjackets will surely be looking for a win at home to open conference play. "MSUB has some good wins under their belts and are bringing back a lot of strong players." Said CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya.

The Yellowjacket offense is led by Bayli Monck. The senior is averaging 3.31 kills per set with 86 kills total on the season. Monck is also second on their roster in service aces (7), and digs (67). Defensively the Yellowjackets are led by Christine Funk. The Freshman has 112 digs so far this season, averaging 4.31 per set. Funk also leads the Yellowjackets in service aces with 9.

After their match in Billings, the Wildcats will head to Seattle to take on the Falcons at Seattle Pacific University. "SPU also has some big wins and they're very physical at the net." Said Head Coach Mario Andaya. The Falcons are coming off a 3-0 sweep at home during the CWU/SPU Invitational. The Falcons swept Biola (Calif.), Hawaii Pacific, and St. Cloud State in a similar fashion to the Wildcats.

The Falcons sit 4-3 overall with their three invitational wins and their forth against Midwestern State. The Falcons offense is led by Maddie Batiste and Hannah Hair. Batiste, the fifth year outside hitter leads the Falcons with 54 kills overall averaging 2.45 per set. Hair, the sophomore middle blocker trails just behind Batiste with 53 kills per set averaging 2.30 per set.

On the defensive side, the Falcons rally behind freshman Abigail Cunningham. The libero/defensive specialist from Tulsa has put up 82 digs this season averaging 3.15 per set. As a team the Falcons are averaging both kills and digs per set at 11.92.

CRIMSON & BLACK ON A ROLL
The Wildcats head into GNAC play with huge momentum after sweeping Hawaii Pacific, Biola (Calif.), and the #13 ranked St. Cloud State Huskies, all in three straight sets. The trio of wins allowed the Wildcats to creep into the AVCA Division II Top 25 list as receiving votes (14) and post a 4-2 record this season so far.

The 'Cats offense rallies behind freshman Marianna Payne who is averaging 3.52 kills per set with a total of 81 on the year. Just behind the heavy hitter sits recent Transfer Tia Andaya, Andaya is averaging 2.83 kills per set alongside a team leading 124 assists averaging 5.39 per set. On the defensive side the Wildcats stand behind Hannah Stires. The freshman has 122 digs this season and averages 5.30 per set.