NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene volleyball team returns to the Johnson Sports Center on Saturday for a Homecoming weekend matchup against GNAC-leading Central Washington. First serve between the Nighthawks and Wildcats is scheduled for 1 PM.
The Nighthawks
Northwest Nazarene enters Saturday with a 13-9 overall record and a 7-8 mark in GNAC play. The Nighthawks are looking to snap a two-match losing streak after falling in five sets at Montana State Billings on Thursday before suffering a three-set defeat at No. 25 Seattle Pacific on Saturday.
NNU has found success at home this season, posting a 4-2 record inside the Johnson Sports Center. The Nighthawks have won their last two home matches, defeating Western Oregon in four sets and Saint Martin's in three.
Northwest Nazarene is hitting .201 as a team this season while averaging 11.7 kills, 10.7 assists, 15.4 digs, and 2.2 blocks per set. The Nighthawks have held opponents to a .183 hitting percentage and are averaging 1.7 service aces per set.
Senior outside hitter Abby Black leads the Nighthawk offense with 291 kills through the team's first 20 matches, averaging 3.8 kills per set. Black has also contributed 230 digs and 22 service aces.
Hailey Cheney has been a force at the net, recording 151 kills while hitting .329. Cheney leads NNU with 78 total blocks and has added a team-high 33 service aces. Jenna Holm follows with 92 kills and 72 blocks while Maddy Hellem has contributed 126 kills.
Morgan Wilding leads the Nighthawks with 412 assists while Addison Lynn has added 256. Defensively, Kayci Spray has recorded a team-high 314 digs.
Saturday's contest begins a three-match homestand to close the regular season, with Simon Fraser and Western Washington scheduled to visit Nampa next week.
The Wildcats
Central Washington enters Saturday atop the GNAC standings with a 17-4 overall record and a 13-2 mark in conference play. The Wildcats have won 13 consecutive matches after opening GNAC play with losses to Simon Fraser and Western Washington.
Central Washington has been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the conference, hitting .254 while averaging 13.2 kills and 12.3 assists per set. The Wildcats have held opponents to a .159 hitting percentage and are averaging 2.5 blocks, 14.9 digs, and 2.0 service aces per set.
Ellie Marble leads Central Washington with 239 kills, averaging 3.37 per set while hitting .278. Marble has also recorded 30 service aces and 199 digs.
Corinne Westby follows with 223 kills, averaging 3.14 per set, while Kailey Willsey has contributed 170 kills and a team-best .332 hitting percentage. Willsey also leads the Wildcats with 94 total blocks, followed by Hayli Tri with 79.
Kayleigh-Shay Chang has directed the Central Washington offense with 470 assists and a team-high 33 service aces. Addie Allen has added 318 assists, while Brooklyn Parker leads the defense with 336 digs, averaging 4.73 per set.
All-time vs CWU
The Nighthawks will look to avenge a three-set loss to Central Washington earlier this season in Ellensburg. The Wildcats earned a 25-18, 25-13, 25-22 victory on Oct. 10, hitting .252 while holding NNU to a .181 hitting percentage.
Central Washington recorded 41 kills, 50 digs, and 10 service aces in the first meeting, while the Nighthawks finished with 35 kills and 38 digs.
Saturday marks the second and final regular-season meeting between the two programs.
