ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington volleyball team hosts #15 AVCA ranked GNAC rival Western Washington and #22 AVCA ranked Simon Fraser (B.C.) in Ellensburg for a pair of matches as students return for classes.
MATCH INFORMATION
Thursday, September 23rd
7:00 PM
vs Wester Washington
Nicholson Pavilion
Ellensburg, WA
WATCH |
LIVE STATS
Saturday, September 25th
12:00 PM
vs Simon Fraser (B.C.)
Nicholson Pavilion
Ellensburg, WA
WATCH |
LIVE STATS
"It's a big week for us and there are a lot of regional implications with these games. These are huge matches for us. If we're going to stay in this race we need to pick these up." Head Coach
Mario Andaya said.
The Vikings from Western Washington are 5-3 overall, sitting forth in the GNAC with only a 1-0 conference record, only one spot above the Wildcats. After their win last weekend against #22 Simon Fraser (B.C.), this week's AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 poll moved the Vikings up to the #15 spot. As a team the Vikings averaged 12.4 kills per set alongside 1.3 aces. On the defensive, they averaged 2.5 blocks and 14.8 digs per set.
"Our natural rival is Western so it's always something to get up for. We have a pretty big challenge ahead of us. Western poses a lot of problems, they're a historically good program. Playing well against them is a must if we want a shot to meet these guys down the line. They play tenacious defense, they're always in it, and they have a pretty potent offense with a lot of weapons. Their biggest MO is just the way they play and compete, it's something we need to match for sure."
The Vikings are led by pin hitter Calley Heilborn. The sophomore has posted 102 kills on the season averaging 3.51 per set. Through all 34 sets played she's also amassed a team leading 134 total digs, 8 assists, 6 service aces, and 21 blocks. At the net the Vikings rely heavily on junior's Olivia Fairchild and Chloe Roetcisoender. Fairchild leads the team with 47 blocks and Roetcisoender is just behind her with 32. The duo holds more blocks then the rest of the team combined.
After hosting the Vikings, the Wildcats will welcome Simon Fraser (B.C.), who haven't been to Nicholson since September 25
th, 2019. Simon Fraser is currently ranked #22 in the AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches poll, dropping from the #20 spot after losing to Western Washington.
"Simon has always been good, the thing about them is you never know what kind of kids they can get. They did pick up a lefty from Alaska who is hitting off the charts, nobody seems to be able to slow her down. Overall, they have a very good setter alongside a strong defense. They're very competitive and well coached."
Simon Fraser (B.C.) currently sits 7
th in the GNAC rankings with a 6-2 overall record, but 0-1 in conference play. Their offense currently averages 13.6 kills per set alongside 1.1 aces per set. On the defensive they put up 15.7 digs per set alongside 1.8 blocks.
Simons big lefty freshman Brooke Dexter currently leads the team with 136 kills on the season averaging 4.53 per set. Throw in 5 assists, 3 service aces, 88 digs, and 16 blocks and you can see why they've relied on her through all 30 sets played. On the defensive it's sophomore Kalyn Hartmann who leads the team with 24 blocks at the net. On the back end senior Bianca Te keeps the ball up with 113 digs on the year averaging 3.77 per set.
THE WILDCATS THIS SEASON
The 'Cats are currently sitting 5-3 on the season after dropping their last game to Seattle Pacific, 3-1. As a team, the 'Cats are averaging 12.5 kills per set, 1.6 aces per set, 14.7 digs per set, and 2.4 blocks per set. Sitting 1-1 in the GNAC conference, this week will have big implications on the early conference rankings.
The offense for the 'Cats is led by freshman
Marianna Payne. The outside hitter just eclipsed 100 kills on the year, averaging 3.23 per set. Sophomore
Ashley Kaufman trails just behind with 94 kills on the season, averaging 3.03 per set. Payne is also second on the team in blocks with 28, while Kaufman sits second on the team in digs with 73.
On the back end it's
Hannah Stires and
Tia Andaya who keep the 'Cats alive. Stires, the defensive specialist, leads the team with 12 digs averaging 4.9 per set. While Andaya holds 70 total digs and 16 blocks, it's her team leading 165 assists alongside 62 kills that makes her such a versatile piece on the court.
COVID-19 MASK REMINDER
All fans attending athletic events at Central Washington University are required to wear a mask upon entering the venue, regardless of total attendance or venue.
