Tuesday, September 25, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington dropped four slots and is ranked 17th in this week’s American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll.

The Vikings (10-2) fell four slots from 13th after losing to Central Washington (8-4) last Saturday at Ellensburg, snapping a six-match win streak.

The victory helped move the Wildcats just outside of the Top 25 and into a three-way tie with Western Washington and Alaska Anchorage for second-place in the GNAC.  CWU is 26th overall in the national poll.  All three teams are 3-1 in conference matches.

Western Oregon, which travels to Bellingham Saturday for a match with Western Washington, is in first place with a 2-0 conference record.  The Wolves are also among “others receiving votes” this week in the national poll and are 29th overall.

In this week’s NCAA Division II national statistical report, Western Washington’s Laurie Yearout is the highest ranked GNAC player.  She ranks third in assists (12.57).

Also in the Top10 are WWU’s Samantha Hutchinson, sixth in digs (5.91); the Vikings’ Marlayna Geary, fifth in points (5.01) and 10th in kills (4.41) and Erin Compton of Montana State Billings, ninth in digs (5.80).

In team categories, Western Washington ranks, fifth in assists (13.75), seventh in hitting percentage (.281) and ninth in kills (14.25).

NCAA NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Sept. 23): Team (Top 30): Assists – 5. Western Washington 13.75.  Blocks – 15. Western Washington 2.46; 28. Central Washington 2.33.  Hitting PCT. – 7. Western Washington .281.  Kills – 9. Western Washington 14.25.  Individuals (Top 30): Assists – 3. Laurie Yearout, WWU, 12.57; 15. Kimya Jafroudi, UAA, 11.02.  Blocks – 23. Becky Blees, WOU, 1.28. Digs – 6. Samantha Hutchinson, WWU, 5.91; 9. Erin Compton, MSUB, 5.80; 25. Kaely Kight, CWU, 5.19.  Hitting PCT. – 20. Krissi Kemper, WOU, 0.39; 24. Kayla Erickson, WWU, .386.  Kills – 10. Marlayna Geary, WWU, 4.41. Points – 5. Marlayna Geary, WWU, 5.01.

GNAC Players of the Week