BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Central Washington University volleyball team is set to begin the 2024 season at the WWU Invitational, hosted by Western Washington University. The invitational will take place this Thursday, Sept. 5, through Saturday, Sept. 7 at the WECU Court at Carver Gym on the WWU campus. 

Head Coach Mario Andaya will begin his 29th season with the Wildcats as they open play against the #7 MSU Denver Roadrunners on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., followed by a matchup with the San Francisco State Gators on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The 'Cats will then close out the invitational against the Sonoma State Seawolves on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. 

Expectations are high for this year's squad, as they were selected 22nd in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Preseason Poll earning 203 points. Additionally, the Wildcats were picked first in the GNAC Preseason Poll in one of the tightest coaches polls the conference has ever seen, beating out Seattle Pacific by one point.  

Several key returners for Crimson and Black are back including Emma Daoud-Hebert, who led the team in blocks last season with an average of 1.41 blocks per set, ranking second in Division II. Another prominent returner is Hannah Stires, who ranked second in the GNAC in digs averaging 4.93 per set. Daoud-Hebert, Stires, and Scottie Ellsworth were selected to the GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team. 

MSU Denver will be a challenging squad for the 'Cats. The #7 Roadrunners are seeing the return of their team leaders in kills (Riley Anderson), assists (Amela Qershia), and digs (Abbie McCrimmon). In 2023, they won the RMAC with a 13-1 conference record. 

San Francisco State was selected to finish fourth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association coaches poll and received votes in the AVCA/TARAFLEX preseason poll, earning three points. The Gators finished fourth in the CCAA last season with a 13-5 conference record.  

Sonoma State was selected to finish sixth in the CCAA, posting a 12-6 conference record last season. The Seawolves have a senior duo in Emily Hernandez and Brooklyn Jackson, who led the team in kills last season. The pair secured 147 and 179 kills respectively and are expected to lead the team's offense. 

Season tickets are now on sale for all 12 home games as well as every game for the CWU Tournament held in Nicholson Arena from September 12-14 and can be purchased online HERE 

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