PORTLAND, Ore. – Two Central Washington University Volleyball student-athletes were honored by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball coaches to the 2026 Preseason All-Conference Team. Senior Ellie Marble and sophomore Kailey Willsey both earned spots on the Preseason All-Conference Team and were joined by 12 others from around the GNAC.
 
Marble, a 2025 First Team All-GNAC honoree and a member of the 2025 NCAA West Region All-Tournament team, grabbed honors on the Preseason All-Conference Team. She averaged 2.2 kills per set last season, reaching double-digit kills 11 times. She had a career-best 3.26 digs per set while maneuvering her way to nine double-doubles on the season. She also added 20 or more digs in four different matches' last season. Over her career she has averaged 2.46 kills per set and 2.89 points per set.
 
"Ellie is a play maker for us; she's the heartbeat of our team and remains one of the many clutch players," CWU Volleyball Head Coach Lauren Herseth said. "The girl hasn't stopped getting better, and I'm excited to see how that translates this season."
 
Willsey, the 2025 GNAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-GNAC honoree immediately began her collegiate career with a boom. She continued the 'Cats strong tradition of being a force at the net while averaging 1.16 blocks per set for a total of 118. She notched double digit blocks three different times including a huge 12 blocks in a road contest at Alaska Fairbanks. She added 191 kills for a 1.87 kills per set average while hitting for a team-high .338 hitting percentage. She stepped up to the net when it counted the most, logging a season-high 14 kills against Simon Fraser in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Kailey had a great freshman year, but she's put in a ton of work to make sure she remains one of the most physical middles in the league," Herseth said. "She's added some new weapons to her game and will be a force this season!"
 
You have a chance to view Marble, Willsey, and the rest of the 'Cats when they host the CWU Volleyball Invitational inside Nicholson Arena this weekend. The Crimson and Black take on San Francisco State on Thursday and Point Loma on Friday, both at 6:30 p.m. Central then wraps up the weekend against Chaminade on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
 
To see the full GNAC Volleyball 2026 Preseason All-Conference Team, click HERE