ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Looking to climb further up the GNAC standings, the Central Washington University volleyball team will face off against two strong opponents, Simon Fraser and #10 Western Washington, this weekend at the SURC.
 
They'll first take on the Simon Fraser Red Leafs this Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7:00 p.m. SFU comes to town with a 9-12, 6-6 record. The Red Leafs average 11.5 kills, 2.1 blocks and 14.0 digs per set. Across the season, they have a hitting percentage of .198.

Thursday's matchup is Dig Pink Night. As part of ongoing efforts during breast cancer awareness month, CWU hosts an annual game to increase awareness of the disease.
 
Here are just a few of the ways you can help us help women in need: Share your story of how you or a loved one have been affected by breast cancer. Make a one-time or ongoing donation. Share educational content on social media. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
 
Last weekend, SFU dethroned the previously undefeated Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The Red Leafs, backed by big performances from Jocelyn Sherman, Brooke Dexter and Eva Person, were able to hand AAU their first conference loss of the year. The performance led to Simon Fraser's volleyball team being named the GNAC Team of the Week.
 
Earlier this season, the Wildcats beat Simon Fraser in four sets up in Burnaby, B.C. On that night, Tia Andaya led the way with 16 kills and 27 assists, both team-highs. Ashley Kaufman had 15 kills to pair with 14 digs. Emma Daoud-Hebert logged an 11-kill, six-block performance. Hannah Stires registered a team-high 31 digs.
 
Dexter leads the Red Leafs in kills per set (2.94) but Sherman isn't far behind (2.54). Two players have over five assists per set on the year (Person and Serena Gentile). When it comes to blocks per set, Kalyn Hartmann (0.98) and Abby Willett (0.86) lead the way. Sherman, Hanna Kolof and Camryn Vosloh all have over two digs per set.
 
On Saturday, Oct. 29, at 1:00 p.m., the Crimson and Black will face their in-state rivals, the #10 Western Washington Vikings. WWU dons a 15-5, 10-2 record thus far and has been a nationally ranked team the entire season.
 
Last weekend, the Vikings swept Alaska Fairbanks but fell to Alaska Anchorage in four sets. AAU is the only team to beat WWU in conference play this year. Western Washington has a hitting percentage of .230 on the season and is averaging 12.7 kills, 2.4 blocks and 14.0 digs per set.
 
Earlier this season, the Wildcats and Vikings faced off in Bellingham, Wash. After CWU took the first set, WWU found their stride, taking the next three frames to knock out the Wildcats in four sets. Chloe Roetcisoender led the Vikings in kills (14) and blocks (7) on the night. Calley Heilborn logged 12 kills and a team-high 14 digs. Malia Aleaga accounted for 42 assists.
 
The high-powered WWU offense is led by Heilborn (2.73 kills per set), but the Vikings have four other players with over two kills each set (Roetcisoender, Olivia Fairchild, Gabby Gunterman and Gabby Kepley). Aleaga logs over 10 assists per set.
 
Both Roetcisoender and Fairchild average over one block per set. Heilborn and Kasey Woodruff both log over three digs per set.
 
The Crimson and Black enter the weekend with a 13-8, 8-5 record and an attacking percentage of .229. The team averages 12.8 kills, 2.5 blocks and 13.6 digs per set.
 
Kaufman leads the 'Cats in kills per set (3.07) but Andaya trails not far behind (2.73). Both Andaya and Sydney Remsberg have over 5.40 assists per set. Daoud-Hebert continues to be dominant defensively at the net, logging 1.46 blocks per set which is good for second place among all DII players. Stires leads the team in digs each set (4.20).
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Oct. 27
7:00 PM
Vs. Simon Fraser
Student Union Rec. Ctr.
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
 
Saturday, Oct. 29
1:00 PM
Vs. #10 Western Washington
Student Union Rec. Ctr.
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS