ELLENSBURG, Wash. - After splitting their matchups in Alaska last weekend, the Central Washington University volleyball team will open the second half of GNAC play with matchups against #22 Seattle Pacific and Montana State Billings.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Oct. 19, 7:00 p.m.
vs. #22 Seattle Pacific
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
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Saturday, Oct. 21, 2:00 p.m.
vs. Montana State Billings
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
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QUOTING HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"We are looking forward to the second half of GNAC play. SPU is in first but a lot of teams including us are fighting to climb back up and stay in the GNAC race. Both SPU and MSUB pose different challenges, so we will need to be very good in all facets of the game to be successful."
 
ABOUT THE FALCONS
Seattle Pacific is led by second-year head coach Jason Rhine, who has the Falcons atop the GNAC with an 8-1 conference record. Their only loss in conference play came vs. Western Washington back on Oct. 5.
 
Last weekend, the Falcons made quick business with a sweep of Montana State Billings. It was SPU's only game of the weekend, and the Falcons won every set by seven or more points.
 
On the offensive end, senior outside hitter Sarah Brachvogel leads the GNAC with 3.33 kills per set, followed by a cast of five more Falcons averaging over 1.60 kills per frame. Emily Tulino is the primary setter for SPU, checking in at 326 total, almost 5.50 per set.
 
Senior middle blocker Hannah Hair leads Division II in blocks per set, clocking in at 1.59. Meanwhile, the Falcons divvy up setting duties with five players over 100 digs, including team-leader Abigail Cunningham with 172, an average of 3.02 per frame.
 
The Wildcats are looking to break an eight-game losing streak against SPU, dating back to Oct. 2019. Overall, CWU leads the series history 25-20. Back in September, the Wildcats lost a five-set thriller in Seattle despite leading in most statistical categories and holding SPU to a hitting percentage of .125.
 
ABOUT THE YELLOWJACKETS
The Yellowjackets are coached by Casey Bonner who's in her 8th year at the helm. MSUB is 10th in the GNAC with a 3-16 overall record (1-8 GNAC). Their only conference win so far was vs. Western Washington in five sets on Oct. 7.
 
Freshman middle blocker Julia Gordon has made a big impact, leading MSUB with 2.53 kills per set. Five more Yellowjackets have over 1.60 kills per frame, including 2022 GNAC All-Conference honorable mention Paiten Langston. Emma Fa'alogo has 314 assists, a team-high, followed by Hailey Carroll with 250.
 
Junior libero Christine Funk has registered 5.70 digs per frame, a GNAC-leading number. Langston leads the Yellowjackets in blocks, clocking in at 64.
 
The Wildcats lead the all-time series against MSUB 26-5, including a current eight-game win streak. CWU swept MSUB in Billings earlier this season, led by nine kills from Scottie Ellsworth and a 25-assist, 10-dig double-double from Tia Andaya.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Making their annual trip to Alaska, the Wildcats split their weekend matchups. Last Thursday, Oct. 12, CWU overcame a 13-point deficit in the third frame to sweep Alaska Anchorage, advancing the team's win streak to four games.
 
Unfortunately, that streak would come to an end at Alaska Fairbanks, as the 'Cats fell in four sets. The loss dropped the Wildcats in the weekly AVCA/TARAFLEX Division II Coaches Poll from #16 to #18.
 
Emma Daoud-Hebert earned the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honor for her strong performances last weekend. She led the team in blocks, tallying a total of 11 in seven sets while adding 12 kills, three digs and two service aces. Daoud-Hebert is currently second in Division II in blocks per set (1.48).