ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington volleyball team opens the 2026 season this week by hosting the CWU Volleyball Invitational inside Nicholson Arena. The Wildcats will begin the campaign against San Francisco State on Thursday, Aug. 27, before welcoming nationally ranked No. 4 Point Loma on Friday, Aug. 28, and closing the tournament against Chaminade on Saturday, Aug. 29.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Central Washington vs San Francisco State
6:30 p.m.
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
HISTORY
 
Friday, August 28, 2026
Central Washington vs No. 4 Point Loma
6:30 p.m.
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
HISTORY

Saturday, August 29, 2026
Central Washington vs Chaminade
1:30 p.m.
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
HISTORY
 
 
THE CRIMSON AND BLACK:

Central enters the season with high expectations after being selected second in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Wildcats received six first-place votes and 88 total points after capturing their second consecutive GNAC championship in 2025 and advancing to the NCAA Division II West Regional semifinals. Despite the transition to first-year head coach Lauren Herseth, who previously spent five seasons as the program's associate head coach, Central returns a veteran core that has helped establish the Wildcats among the conference's top programs.
 
The Wildcats return a wealth of experience, including First Team All-GNAC selections Ellie Marble and Kailey Willsey, who also earned GNAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2025. All-GNAC honorable mention performers Kayleigh-Shay Chang and Brooklyn Parker are also back, while a strong core of upperclassmen featuring Marble, Kennedy Webb, Hayli Tri, Mackenzie Godden, and Corinne Westby provides leadership and championship experience. Central also added several newcomers expected to contribute immediately, including transfer Addison Mills and freshmen Brooklyn Barrow, Rylee Jones, Juleah Leapai, Breven Luinstra, Arisa May-Kelly, and Madilynn Shurtleff.
 

SCOUTING THE GATORS:
 
San Francisco State begins its 2026 campaign following another strong year under 11th-year head coach Matt Hoffman. The Gators reached the CCAA Tournament championship match in 2025 and return several key contributors from that postseason squad, including First Team All-CCAA outside hitter Aidan Goodrich, Second Team All-CCAA outside hitter Grace Witcher, and All-CCAA honorable mention setter Melanie Hewlett. Also returning are outside hitter Alana Larson, middle blockers Lilly Rix and Lindsey Olsen, setter Savanna Fauntleroy, opposite Grace Kool, and defensive specialist Drew deGuzman, giving SF State an experienced nucleus on both sides of the net. Hoffman has guided the Gators to three consecutive CCAA Tournament appearances and helped establish the program as a West Region contender, highlighted by a run to the NCAA Division II National Championship match in 2024. With a veteran roster and a culture built on postseason success, San Francisco State presents a challenging season-opening test for the Wildcats at Nicholson Arena.

 
SCOUTING THE SEA LIONS:

No. 4 Point Loma starts the season as one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II after advancing to the national semifinals and capturing its first NCAA West Regional championship in 2025. Led by 13th-year head coach Jonathan Scott, the Sea Lions return a talented core that includes AVCA All-Americans Sophia Baugh and Macy Reynolds, along with senior outside hitter Mariah Hughes, senior defensive specialist Kira Federico, senior setter Sophia Baugh, senior outside hitter/right side Ellie Nichols, and junior middle blocker Finn Higginbotham. Point Loma also welcomes key additions, including graduate transfer Kaitlyn Cabral, as it looks to build on a stretch that includes two PacWest championships in the last three seasons. The Sea Lions have become a perennial West Region power under Scott and will provide one of the Wildcats' toughest tests of the opening weekend when the two teams meet Friday night.

 
SCOUTING THE SILVERSWORDS:

Chaminade arrives in Ellensburg after opening the 2026 season at the Hawai'i-Alaska Challenge, where the Silverswords posted a 1-2 record, splitting two matches with Alaska Anchorage and falling to Alaska Fairbanks. The Silverswords are led by 15th-year head coach Kahala Kabalis Hoke, the program's all-time winningest coach and a three-time PacWest Coach of the Year who has guided Chaminade to three conference championships and multiple NCAA West Regional appearances. Chaminade returns a talented group that includes senior outside hitter Leilani Ama, an AVCA National Freshman of the Year and former PacWest Setter and Freshman of the Year, along with senior middle blocker Reina Krueger, senior libero Kyra Pagud, senior right-side hitter Tabby Allen, junior outside hitters Malena Mihalik and Mykelle Brainard, and junior libero Sina Bauer. The Silverswords also added key newcomers, including transfer Allison Panter and junior outside hitter Siria Guerini. Following a stretch that included PacWest championships in 2021, 2022, and 2024, Chaminade remains one of the West Region's most consistent programs and will provide a strong closing test for the Wildcats this weekend.