ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The No. 25 Wildcats host the Nighthawks from Northwest Nazarene in a single match on Friday to end their first conference home stand.
MATCH INFORMATION
Fri, Oct 1
st
7:00 PM
Vs. Northwest Nazarene
Nicholson Pavilion
Ellensburg, WA
WATCH |
LIVE STATS
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"Every week is a different challenge we have to be up for and another puzzle to solve. NNU will bring certain challenges we're trying to prepare for the best we can."
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
The Nighthawks currently sit 2-9 overall and 0-4 in the GNAC conference. They'll travel to Ellensburg fresh off of a 3-1 win over Westminster (Utah.).
As a team the Nighthawks average 11.7 kills per set alongside 1.4 aces per set. The Nighthawk defense manages a strong a 17.7 digs per set alongside 1.6 blocks per set. They've held opponents to only a 14.3 kills per set average and .233 hitting percentage.
The offense for the Nighthawks rides on the back of redshirt junior Natalie Sullivan. The 6' outside hitter has 165 kills this season averaging 3.93 per set, more than the next two Nighthawks combined. The junior boasts a .202 hitting percentage with only 3 assists and 12 service aces.
The Nighthawk defense starts with sophomore Carline McMahon. The 5' 8" libero has eclipsed 200 digs this season, averaging 4.76 per set. At the net it's the duo of Anna Gable and Mckenzie Lee who look to keep the 'Cats at bay. Gable, the sophomore middle blocker leads the Nighthawks with 32 blocks this season. Gable has also posted 67 kills and two assists. Lee, the redshirt junior setter follows Gable with 28 blocks alongside 73 digs and 17 kills.
NATIONALLY RANKED WILDCATS
The Wildcats sit 7-3 overall this year with a 3-1 conference record. After taking down previous No. 15 Western Washington and No. 22 Simon Fraser (B.C.) at home last week, the Wildcats have garnered the No. 25 spot in the AVCA Division II Top 25 poll. Most notably, the Wildcats are 5-0 when playing at home, including all three wins against ranked opponents so far this season.
As a team the Wildcats have out averaged opponents in every category. The Wildcats hold a 12.7 kills per set average, 12.1 assist per set average, 1.6 aces per set average, 2.4 blocks per set average, and 15.6 digs per set average.
Ashley Kaufman sits atop the Wildcat offense with 124 kills this season alongside a 3.26 kill per set average. The sophomore from Hayden, Idaho also sits second on the roster in digs with 93, averaging 2.45 per set. Just behind the 5' 8" outside hitter sits freshman
Marianna Payne. Payne, the 6' outside hitter trails Kaufman with 119 kills, averaging 3.13 per set. Payne is also second on the roster in blocks with 35.
The Wildcat offense is driven by two key players, returning sophomore
Sydney Remsberg and transfer sophomore
Tia Andaya. Both players are equal in assists with 203 each and a 5.34 average as well. They have both started and played in all ten matches and 38 sets. The duo is almost equal in service aces as well, but
Tia Andaya has the edge with 14 total to Remsbergs 13. Andaya leads the duo in digs at 86 while Remsberg totals 75.
On defense freshman libero
Hannah Stires leads the way for the Wildcats. Her 190 total digs and 5.00 digs per set average not only leads the team, but is more than the next two Wildcats combined. At the net fifth year
Leanna Shymanski leads the Wildcats with 44 total blocks this season.
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.
