ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Ahead of Saturday's regular-season home finale against Alaska Anchorage, the Central Washington University volleyball team will honor the following four seniors.
 
#1, SETTER/OUTSIDE HITTER, TIA ANDAYA
"I don't know if we have ever had a player who can impact the game in as many ways as Tia does," Head Coach Mario Andaya said. "I don't know if it is possible to work harder than you ever have each day, but if anyone has demonstrated those traits, it is Tia.  She is uncommon.  I am grateful she is a Wildcat, and proud she is my daughter."
 
In 2023, Andaya transitioned more into the role of a setter, as her assists numbers jumped from roughly 5.00 per set in previous seasons to 8.89 so far this season. She's still been effective elsewhere though as she's second on the team in digs (197), second in blocks (90), and adding 117 kills and 24 service aces. She was named the GNAC Preseason Player of the Year and earned a GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honor back in September.
 
In 2022, Andaya earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and AVCA All-West Region First Team honors. Andaya broke Mindy Swanson's GNAC Triple-Double record (9) against Western Oregon on Sept. 15, 2022, and has a career total of 13. In 2021, Andaya earned AVCA Third Team All-American honors, AVCA All-West Region First Team honors, and GNAC Newcomer of the Year honors. Before her time at CWU, Andaya played for two years at Gonzaga University. In her sophomore season, she earned an All-WCC Honorable Mention.
 
#16, MIDDLE BLOCKER, EMMA DAOUD-HEBERT
"Emma will be someone I talk about often for the rest of my career," Coach Andaya said. "The way she has pushed herself to become the player she is and overcome the obstacles she has is commendable, to say the least.  Emma's journey here could definitely fill a chapter if I ever write a book."
 
Daoud-Hebert has been a force at the net in her career as a Wildcat. In 2023, she's led the team with 111 blocks. Her 1.40 blocks per set ranks third in the nation. She's also tallied 144 kills and a hitting percentage of .349. She earned a GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honor last month.
 
Last season, Daoud-Hebert led the nation in blocks (160) and blocks per set (1.50), while also leading the GNAC with a .387 hitting percentage. She earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-West Region First Team, and D2CCA All-West Region First Team honors.
 
#19, OUTSIDE HITTER, ASHLEY KAUFMAN
"AK means a lot to us and will go down in CWU history as one of the best," Coach Andaya said. "She has always been steady and impactful on the court, but her process and journey to get a 1,000 kills and digs is what's most impressive. She has grown in so many ways throughout her time here, and I will always be grateful for the commitment she made to CWU volleyball."
 
Kaufman will end her career as a Wildcat as the GNAC's active kill leader, currently totaling 1074. This season, she's recorded 169 kills, an average of 2.06 per set. Kaufman has added 28 assists, 28 service aces, 180 digs, and 20 blocks.
 
In 2022, Kaufman led the team in kills (321), averaging 3.00 per set, good for sixth in the GNAC. She also recorded just under 300 digs and a team-high 35 service aces. Kaufman earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and AVCA All-West Region First Team honors.
 
#20, OUTSIDE HITTER, KYLIE THORNE
"Kylie is the definition of a Central Wildcat," Coach Andaya said. "Ky continues to put the team first, no matter the impact or accolades she receives individually.  She has become a tremendous mentor for her teammates and an incredible student at CWU."
 
In 2023, Thorne has continued to be an efficient killer for the Wildcats, while also racking up digs on the backend. This year, she's registered 141 kills, an average of 2.15 per set, while logging 112 digs.
 
Last year, Thorne put up a career-high 206 kills and 218 digs. She also tallied 24 service aces and 28 block attempts on her way to being named a GNAC All-Conference Honorable Mention.