ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (4-3) kicks off GNAC play this week as well as its home opener–taking on the #8 Simon Fraser Red Leafs (6-0) on Thursday, Sep. 18, then against the Wildcats' rivals, the Western Washington Vikings (6-1) on Saturday, Sep. 20.
GAME INFORMATION
THURSDAY, 9/18/25 vs SIMON FRASER
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SATURDAY, 9/20/25 vs WESTERN WASHINGTON
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LIVE STATS
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PREVIOUSLY FOR THE 'CATS
Central opened the season with an impressive run in the WWU Invitational–defeating #4 San Francisco State 3-1, then sweeping #11 Cal Poly Pomona, and narrowly falling to #3 St. Cloud State 2-3. The Wildcats traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, last week for the Aloha State Showdown. The Crimson and Black split their time in the showdown, with all its games ending in sweeps. The 'Cats fell to Hawaii Hilo in the first match 0-3 on Thursday, Sep. 11, before rebounding the next day on Sep. 12–sweeping Florida Tech. Later that day, though, the Wildcats found themselves on another losing end of a sweep. CWU responded once again to finish off their time in Honolulu with a sweep of Hawaii Pacific on Saturday, Sep. 13.
The Wildcats enter conference play with a strong presence from multiple players across different categories.
Scottie Ellsworth leads the team in scoring with 54 kills, followed by
Corinne Westby with 45 and
Kaitlyn Leaverton with 44.
Ellie Marble has found a strong suit on the defensive line, leading the 'Cats with 92 digs, while
Kayleigh-Shay Chang continues her setting ways from last season with 145 total assists. Marble also leads in serving with 12 aces, while
Hayli Tri leads at the net with 34 blocks.
ABOUT THE #8 RED LEAFS
Simon Fraser enters conference play with an impressive nonconference slate after going 6-0, including against five ranked opponents. The Red Leafs opened the season in the WWU Invitational with a sweep over #3 St. Cloud State and then defeated both #4 San Francisco State and #11 Cal Poly Pomona in five sets. SFU rode the momentum as the Leafs traveled down to Los Angeles, Calif., for the Cal State LA Invitational. The Red Leafs went on to win the next three matches over Cal State LA, #19 Cal Poly Pomona, and #18 Colorado Mesa. All the wins were by a score of 3-1.
The Red Leafs have a strong squad this season, led by Natalie Lemoine-Sells, who leads in scoring with 86 total kills. Eva Person leads the setters for SFU with 190 assists, and Logan Remington leads the front line with 58 blocks. Macyn Unger leads at the service line with 13 aces, while holding down the defense with 104 total digs.
The Wildcats take on the #8 Red Leafs on Thursday, Sep. 17. First serve from Nicholson Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.
ABOUT THE VIKINGS
Western Washington had a quick opening to its season–falling to #11 Cal Poly Pomona in the Vikings' first match of the WWU Invitational. However, WWU flipped the script–winning its next two matches–defeating #St. Cloud State and #4 San Francisco State, both by 3-1 scores. The Viks then headed to Honolulu, Hawaii, for the Aloha State Showdown. The Vikings didn't waste any opportunities–going 4-0 while sweeping their matches against #24 Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific.
The Viks have a strong set of leaders this season, including Devyn Oestreich, who leads in kills with 109 total, followed by Delaney Speer with 83. Speer also leads in service aces alongside Chayse Flick-Williams with 12 each. Adele Holland leads in setting with 137 assists, followed by Caroline Hansen with 131, while Emily Vossenkuhl leads at the net with 23 blocks, and Teya Zaddack follows with 21. On the defensive line, Finnley Claeys leads with 104 digs, while Oestreich has 100.
The Wildcats and Vikings hit the court in the first rivalry match of the school year on Saturday, Sep. 20. First serve from Nicholson Arena is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
