ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (4-4, 0-2 GNAC) returns to Nicholson Arena this week for their conference home opener against Alaska Anchorage on Thursday and Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Thursday, Sept. 17
Central Washington vs RV Alaska Anchorage
7:00 p.m.
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
HISTORY
Saturday, Sept. 19
Central Washington vs No. 19 Alaska Fairbanks
1:00 p.m.
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
TICKETS
HISTORY
LAST WEEKEND:
The Wildcats opened GNAC play with a pair of road losses, battling No. 23 Simon Fraser in a four-set match before falling in straight sets to Western Washington. CWU pushed the Red Leafs to the limit, with the final three sets decided by three points or fewer, before Simon Fraser claimed a 3-1 victory. Two days later, the Crimson and Black ran into a hot-hitting Western Washington squad that hit .347 and fell in a 0-3 sweep in Bellingham. Across the weekend, CWU totaled 88 kills, 118 digs, and 14 blocks against two conference rivals.
Ellie Marble led the Wildcats with 23 kills and 22 digs over the two matches, including 15 kills against Simon Fraser.
Corinne Westby added 19 kills, while
Hayli Tri recorded 12 kills and a team-high seven blocks.
Kayleigh-Shay Chang handed out 46 assists,
Addie Allen contributed 25 assists and 13 digs, and
Brooklyn Parker anchored the back row with 26 digs.
Kennedy Webb chipped in 16 kills and five blocks as CWU continued conference play against a pair of strong GNAC opponents.
SCOUTING THE SEAWOLVES:
Alaska Anchorage enters the week with a 9-3 overall record and a perfect 2-0 mark in GNAC play after winning its last two matches. The Seawolves experienced a slow start to the season in Hawaii, opening with losses to Chaminade and Hawai'i Hilo, but quickly rebounded by winning nine of their next 10 matches. Since then, UAA has collected victories over Hawaii Pacific, Chaminade, Texas Woman's, Lenoir-Rhyne, Chico State, Minnesota State, Tiffin, Seattle Pacific, and Montana State Billings. Their only loss since Aug. 20 came in a five-set match against Fresno Pacific on Sept. 5.
Offensively, Alaska Anchorage is led by Lee Ivakina, who has recorded 149 kills (3.55 kills per set), while Kyana Gabriel adds 105 kills and Bella Burney has contributed 95 kills while hitting .363 for one of the conference's most efficient attacking percentages, while setter Hannah Trotter directs the offense with 344 assists (8.19 assists per set). Defensively, Mary Nahinu leads the team with 144 digs, Trotter has added 131 digs, and Burney anchors the net with 41 total blocks.
SCOUTING THE NO. 19 NANOOKS:
Alaska Fairbanks enters the week with a 9-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in GNAC play after a strong start to the season. The Nanooks opened the year by winning eight of their first 10 matches, including victories over Hawai'i Pacific, Chaminade, Chico State, Texas Woman's, and Lenoir-Rhyne. UAF then added wins over Tiffin, Minnesota State Mankato, and Montana State Billings, with its only setbacks coming against Hawai'i Hilo, Fresno Pacific, and Seattle Pacific. The Nanooks are 3-0 at neutral sites, 3-1 on the road, and 3-2 at home entering the weekend.
Haylee Lyons and Cori Leavitt have been UAF's offensive weapons, recording 118 and 111 kills, respectively, while Presley Engelauf has added 63 kills and Lucy Braegger has contributed 63 more. Cynphany Henderson directs the offense with 254 assists, and Ashlyn White has chipped in 148 assists. Defensively, the Nanooks is anchored by libero Tessa Onaga, who has recorded a team-high 236 digs, while posting a .942 reception percentage. Kellan Flynn has added 118 digs and a .977 reception percentage, while Lyons and Henderson have contributed 101 and 91 digs, respectively. At the net, Peri Hoshock leads the Nanooks with 44 total blocks, followed closely by Engelauf with 43 and Leavitt with 37.
UP NEXT:
The 'Cats take on the Seawolves first this week, hitting the court on Thursday for a 7:00 p.m. start from Nicholson Arena.
