NAMPA, Id. - Looking to extend the momentum from last week's road wins, the Central Washington University volleyball team will square off against Northwest Nazarene on Saturday at noon.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, Nov. 4, 12:00 p.m.
at Northwest Nazarene
Johnson Sports Center
Nampa, Id.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH MARIO ANDAYA
"This is another significant match on the road. NNU brings a lot we need to be ready for, but we also need to go in and be a tough challenge for them."
 
ABOUT THE NIGHTHAWKS
In his 11th year, Doug English has Northwest Nazarene at 10-11, 6-7 GNAC, ranking sixth in the GNAC. Last weekend, the Nighthawks took down Western Oregon in five sets, followed by an 0-3 loss to Saint Martin's on Saturday.
 
Junior outside hitter Maren Dent leads the Nighthawks in kills per set with 2.66, followed by Londyn Giles with 2.52. Gabi Moore is the team's primary setter, recording more than eight assists each set.
 
Senior libero Caroline McMahon ranks third in the GNAC in digs per set with 4.64. At the net, Sarah Lyons leads the team in blocks with 55. Three more Nighthawks have over 30 blocks on the season.
 
The Wildcats and Nighthawks faced off back on Oct. 7 in the first game back in Nicholson Arena, with the 'Cats coming out on top in four sets. CWU had an efficient night on offense with an attacking percentage of .318. Ashley Kaufman led the way with 16 kills while Tia Andaya put up a season-high 50 assists.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Road wins are never easy to come by in the GNAC, but last weekend the Wildcats earned a pair of victories at Saint Martin's and Western Oregon. Last Thursday at SMU, the 'Cats won in four sets backed by strong performances from Ellie Marble (13 kills & 13 digs) and Kylie Thorne (12 kills). The defense held the Saints to an attacking percentage of .155.
 
The Wildcats earned a sweep of the Wolves on Saturday, despite Western Oregon making it difficult in every set, including the first two that went past regulation. Once again, Marble and Thorne led the team in kills while Kate Stidham tallied 16 digs, a team-high, and 12 assists. Andaya registered nine blocks and 22 assists. In the third set, Kaufman's seventh kill of the match pushed her over the 1,000 career digs milestone.
 
In the weekly AVCA/TARAFLEX Division II Coaches Poll, the Wildcats dropped a spot to #21. But yesterday, the Wildcats found themselves in the first NCAA Regional Rankings of the season. The initial ranking is in alphabetical order, but future rankings will be seeded.