Wildcats Hit the Road for a Pair of Conference Matchups

ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The 15^th-ranked Central Washington University Wildcat volleyball team (7-3, 1-1 GNAC) will head east to Billings, Montana to kick off their short road trip against the Montana State University Billings Yellow Jackets (2-9, 0-2 GNAC) Thursday evening with action starting at 6:00 p.m. The 'Cats will then head to Seattle on Saturday to face the Seattle Pacific University Falcons (8-2, 2-0 GNAC) at 2:00 p.m. Two big GNAC matchups this week as the Yellow Jackets look to get their first conference victory while the Falcons look to grow their conference lead.

LINKS

Vs. MSUB
Thursday, Sept. 21
6:00 p.m.
Alterowitz Gymnasium
Billings, Mont.
LIVE STATS: HERE
WATCH: HERE

Vs. SPU
Saturday, Sept. 23
2:00 p.m.
Royal Brougham Pavilion
Seattle, Wash.
LIVE STATS: HERE
WATCH: HERE

The 'Cat Stats

The Wildcats move to 15 in the AVCA Poll following their win over Western Washington University and tough loss to Simon Fraser University last week. The Wildcats, led by GNAC Defensive Player of the Week Tia Andaya will look to swat away the Yellow Jackets and end a seven-match losing streak to the Falcons this weekend.

Offense

Scottie Ellsworth leads the Wildcats offensively with 111 points, and 100 kills on the young season. Kylie Thorne is off to a hot start sitting in second place on the offensive leaderboard with 106 points, and 94 kills of her own. Ashley Kaufman has also gotten off to an impressive start with 102.5 points, and 87 kills. The offensive trio look to continue their dominance on the road for the Wildcats. Andaya might be the DPOTW, but she also has 14 aces, and 312 assists this season, setting the 'Cats up nicely on the floor.

Defense

The construction crew duo of Hannah Stires and Emma Daoud-Hebert have been a force to reckon with this season as Stires' shovel has been working with 166 digs on the year. The brick wall, AKA Daoud-Hebert, has been unstoppable with 55 blocks thus far. Morgan Halady has contributed to the brick wall with 40 blocks of her own, with Andaya also adding 37 blocks.

Scouting the Yellow Jackets

MSUB looks to have a bounce back year following the 2022 season which saw the Yellow Jackets finish 7-20, 0-18 GNAC. Finishing last in the conference and having zero GNAC wins last season. Coach Casey Bonner returns for an 8th season at the helm with excitement for MSUBs new recruits.

Offense

The Yellow Jackets are led by senior Paiten Langston with 137 points, and 102 kills. Freshman Julia Gordon is one to lookout for with 124.5 points, and 105 kills. Graduate Student Hailey Caroll leads the Yellow Jackets with 235 assists on the year.

Defense

Junior Christine Funk leads MSUB with 260 digs while Langston leads with 45 blocks on the year.

Scouting the Falcons

SPU is coming off an even 2022 season with the Falcons going 13-13, 11-7 GNAC. The Falcons are off to a hot start in 2023 with SPU already 8-2, 2-0 GNAC, with head coach Jason Rhine behind the wheel for his second season with the Falcons.

Offense

Senior Sarah Brachvogel leads the Falcons with 133.5 points, and 118 kills. Senior Erin Smith is another to watch for with 90.5 points and 71 kills. Junior Emily Tulino leads the Falcons with 193 assists.

Defense

Junior Abigail Cunningham leads the Falcons with 122 digs on the year while senior Hannah Hair has 50 blocks for SPU. Smith has also contributed defensively with 38 blocks for the Falcons.

Up Next

The Wildcats will stay in "The 'Burg" for a weekend showdown against the Western Oregon Wolves (7-3, 1-1 GNAC) and the Saint Martin's Saints (7-4, 1-1 GNAC). The Wolves come to Ellensburg for a Thursday night match at 7:00 p.m. The Wildcats welcome SMU for a Saturday afternoon wrangle at 1:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Tia Andaya: S/OH; 5' 9"; Fifth Year; Central Region United

#3 Scottie Ellsworth: OH; 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore; North Pacific Juniors

#12 Morgan Halady: MB; 6' 2"; Junior; Olympic Premier Volleyball Club

#13 Hannah Stires: DS/L; 5' 5"; Senior; T3 Black

#16 Emma Daoud-Hebert: MB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; Washington Volleyball Academy

#19 Ashley Kaufman: OH; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior; Splash

#20 Kylie Thorne: OH; 5' 11"; Senior; Shockwave Volleyball Club

Players Mentioned

#1 Tia Andaya
: 5' 9"; Fifth Year; Central Region United
: S/OH

#3 Scottie Ellsworth
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore; North Pacific Juniors
: OH

#12 Morgan Halady
: 6' 2"; Junior; Olympic Premier Volleyball Club
: MB

#13 Hannah Stires
: 5' 5"; Senior; T3 Black
: DS/L

#16 Emma Daoud-Hebert
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; Washington Volleyball Academy
: MB

#19 Ashley Kaufman
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior; Splash
: OH

#20 Kylie Thorne
: 5' 11"; Senior; Shockwave Volleyball Club
: OH