ELLENSBURG, Wash. - After a pair of victories over the weekend, the red-hot Central Washington University volleyball team will look to extend their six-game winning streak on the road at Simon Fraser and Western Washington this weekend.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:00 p.m.
at Simon Fraser
West Gym
Burnaby, B.C.
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LIVE STATS
 
Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:00 p.m.
at Western Washington
Carver Gym
Bellingham, Wash.
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LIVE STATS
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"We are excited tocompete and put it all on the line this week against two top-tier teams. It's a playoff vibe which is what we prepare all year to compete in, and what greater challenge than to play Simon and Western on their home court."
 
ABOUT THE RED LEAFS
In her 11th season, Gina Schmidt has led Simon Fraser to a successful year thus far as the Red Leafs sit in 4th place in the conference at 15-9 (10-6 GNAC). As a team, the Red Leafs lead the GNAC in kills, assists, and digs per set. SFU split their matchups at Saint Martin's and Western Oregon last weekend.
 
Junior Jocelyn Sherman leads the Red Leaf attack, clocking in at 3.13 kills per frame which ranks fifth in the conference. Sophie Lachapelle and Brooke Dexter also tally over 2.50 kills per frame. Eva Person handles the largest portion of SFU's setting duties.
 
Macyn Unger's 4.31 digs per set ranks 4th in the GNAC. The Red Leafs have a two-headed blocking duo in Kalyn Hartmann and Ezawa Malish, who both average just under 1.00 block per frame.
 
The Wildcats are no strangers to how potent Simon Fraser can be, as the Red Leafs came into Ellensburg back in September and swept CWU. Brooke Dexter led Simon Fraser with 15 kills on the afternoon and the SFU defense held the Crimson and Black to a .100 hitting percentage.
 
ABOUT THE VIKINGS
After a slow start to the season, Diane Flick-Williams has guided a Vikings team that has surged through conference play and currently posts an 11-13 (11-5 GNAC) record. The Vikings earned a pair of road wins at WOU and SMU last weekend.
 
Sophomore Devyn Oestreich leads WWU in kills (2.55) and digs (3.43) per set. Delaney Speer and Gabby Kepley back up the Viking's balanced attack. Adele Holland's 6.52 assists per frame ranks 5th in the GNAC. With a total of 102 blocks, an average of 1.19 per set, Emily Vossenkuhl is a force at the net as her blocking numbers are third in the conference.
 
When the two teams faced in the SURC earlier this season to open conference play, the Wildcats got the upper hand on the Vikings, earning a four-set win. Ashley Kaufman powered the CWU attack with 13 kills, followed by Tia Andaya's 11 and Kylie Thorne's 10. Andaya also chipped in 36 assists, while Hannah Stires led the 'Cats with 24 digs.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Over the last weekend, the Wildcats earned a couple of wins over Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage in Nicholson Arena. In Thursday's sweep of UAF, the Wildcats hit just under .400, making quick business of the Nanooks. Ellie Marble led the team with 11 kills, followed by Scottie Ellsworth's 10.
 
In Saturday's four-set win over Alaska Anchorage on Senior Day, Emma Daoud-Hebert led the way with 12 kills and 12 blocks, registering her first career double-double. Andaya put up 38 assists and Stires recorded 19 digs.
 
The postseason picture will become a little bit more clear after tomorrow's NCAA Regional Rankings get released. As of last week, the Wildcats were ranked 8th in the West Region. In yesterday's AVCA/TARAFLEX Division II Coaches Poll, the team found themselves at #20.