ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University volleyball is back in Nicholson Arena. The #17 Wildcats (10-4, 4-2 GNAC) are set to host the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (7-7, 3-3 GNAC) on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 1:00 p.m., marking the first volleyball game to be played in Nicholson since Nov. 20, 2021.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, Oct. 7, 1:00 p.m.
VS. Northwest Nazarene
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
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QUOTING HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"NNU brings a lot to the table especially at the service line and on defense. We are preparing for another intense match, so we need to be fully ready to compete. Playing at home in Nicholson is exciting and something we've looked forward to. I'm excited for the team."
 
ABOUT THE NIGHTHAWKS
Northwest Nazarene will enter Saturday with a 7-7 (3-3 GNAC) record and are led by Head Coach Doug English who's in his 11th season at the helm for the Nighthawks.
 
The Wildcats will be NNU's toughest test so far as CWU is the highest-ranked team they've faced this campaign.
 
Defensively, it's the seniors that run the show for Northwest Nazarene. Caroline McMahon's 4.68 digs per set ranks third in GNAC. Sarah Lyons leads the team in blocks, clocking in at 39.
 
Junior Maren Dent is the team's leading attacker. She's recorded 155 kills, an average of 3.24 per set. Freshman Londyn Giles has made a large impact, logging 127 kills in her first season. Gabi Moore handles almost all of the setting duties for the Nighthawks at 8.45 per frame, ranking third in the conference.
 
The Wildcats are 27-16 all-time against Northwest Nazarene, splitting both of last year's matchups.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats took care of business last weekend, pulling off consecutive sweeps over Western Oregon and Saint Martin's in the SURC.
 
Scottie Ellsworth led offensive efforts, putting up 27 combined kills and winning the GNAC Offensive Player of the Week award. She's now sixth in the GNAC in kills per set this season (2.98).
 
Tia Andaya looked like her usual self with a pair of double-doubles. She recorded 30 assists and 14 digs on Thursday vs. the Wolves, followed by 34 assists and 10 digs on Saturday vs. the Saints.
 
Meanwhile, Hannah Stires remained the team's leader in digs, registering a combined 37 digs. Morgan Halady led the 'Cats in blocks last weekend with six.