Volleyball 9/3/2024 2:56:00 PM

Wolves volleyball opens 2024 Thursday at Hawai'i Fall Volleyball Challenge

WOU VOLLEYBALL (0-0)
GNAC STANDINGS | GNAC STATS | WOU STATS | WOU STAT RANKINGS

SCHEDULE
HAWAI'I FALL VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE
Hilo, Hawaii
THURSDAY
vs. Cal Poly Humboldt, 1 p.m. (PT)

FRIDAY
vs. Hawaii Pacific, 1 p.m. (PT)
vs. Bemidji State, 10 p.m. (PT)

SATURDAY
at Hawaii at Hilo, 10 p.m. (PT)
Live Stream & Stat Links

THE WOLVES HEADING INTO 2024
The Western Oregon volleyball team opens the 2024 campaign in Hawaii as the Wolves begin play at the Hawai'i Fall Volleyball Challenge on Thursday and play four matches over the next three days.

WOU finished 4-14 in GNAC and 10-16 overall last season (most wins since 2016 and second year in a row of improvement), good for ninth in conference standings. The Wolves had their best start in program history since 1999, going 4-0 in the opening weekend of play and swept the 2023 Stanislaus State Tournament.

The Wolves return several key pieces in 2024 – including first 2023 All-GNAC First Teamer Madison Hornback. The senior from Oregon City led the conference in kills per set (3.56) in 2023 and was second in points per set (4.05) on her way to being named All-GNAC First Team.

Other returners that played 50 percent or more of the team's sets in 2023 are Bailee Hartsook (an all-conference player in 2022 who finished second on the team with 201 kills), Chloe Ascuitto (96 sets – second on team with 82 blocks and third in kills with 166), Sarah Strus (70 sets, 138 kills), Samantha Darby (64 sets, second on team with 306 assists), Kealani Rosa (57 sets, third on team with 233 assists ) and Tayler Lamb (51 sets, 14 aces).

SERIES HISTORY (Since 2000)

Cal Poly Humboldt
ALL-TIME: 12-6
STREAK: Won 5
LAST WOU WIN: Aug. 8, 2018 – 3-1 in Oakland, CA
LAST WOU LOSS: Aug. 25, 2007 – 3-2 in Rohnert Park, CA
Hawaii Pacific
ALL-TIME: 4-2
STREAK: Won 1
LAST WOU WIN: Aug. 26, 2022 – 3-0 in Honolulu
LAST WOU LOSS: Sept. 10, 2021 – 3-2 in Ellensburg, WA
Bemidji State
ALL-TIME: 1-0
STREAK: Won 1
LAST WOU WIN: Sept. 8, 2023 – 3-1 in Colorado Springs
Hawaii at Hilo
ALL-TIME: 4-1
STREAK: Won 4
LAST WOU WIN: Aug. 27, 2022 – 3-1 in Honolulu
LAST WOU LOSS: Oct. 14, 2000 – 3-1 in Hilo, HI

NOTES
Hornback named Preseason All-GNAC
Western Oregon senior Madison Hornback was named to the GNAC Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team when the conference released the team Monday.

Hornback, from Oregon City, Oregon, led the conference in kills per set (3.56) in 2023 and was second in points per set (4.05) on her way to being named All-GNAC First Team. She was also named GNAC All-Academic (3.62 GPA). Hornback had a GNAC high for kills in a three-set match (23 - tied for 10th most in D-II in 2023) and five sets/overall (27) and was twice named GNAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Wolves picked eighth in GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll
The Western Oregon volleyball team was picked eighth in the 2024 GNAC preseason coaches poll for 2024. WOU finished 4-14 in GNAC and 10-16 overall in 2023, good for ninth in conference standings. The Wolves in coach Kaiao Nahale'a's second season had their best start in program history since 1999, going 4-0 in the opening weekend of play and swept the 2023 Stanislaus State Tournament, while the 10 wins was the most for the program since 2016.

2024 GNAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

Rank	Team (1st Place Votes)	Points
1	Central Washington (2)	91
2	Seattle Pacific (6)	90
3	Western Washington	75
4	Simon Fraser (2)	74
5	Alaska Anchorage	59
6	Alaska Fairbanks	49

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Players Mentioned

#20 Samantha Darby: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#1 Bailee Hartsook: OPP; 5' 10"; Senior

#17 Madison Hornback: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

#15 Tayler Lamb: DS/L; 5' 7"; Senior

#22 Kealani Rosa: S; 5' 6"; Redshirt Sophomore

#14 Sarah Strus: OH; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

#20 Samantha Darby
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#1 Bailee Hartsook
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OPP

#17 Madison Hornback
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

#15 Tayler Lamb
: 5' 7"; Senior
: DS/L

#22 Kealani Rosa
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Sophomore
: S

#14 Sarah Strus
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: OH