Central Washington Wildcats start new season under fresh head coach with championship goals
The Central Washington Wildcats volleyball team begins fall practice with new head coach Lauren Herseth, aiming to build on last year's GNAC title.
Central Washington University's women's volleyball program kicked off its 2026 fall camp in Ellensburg, ushering in a new era under head coach Lauren Herseth, who previously served as associate head coach for five seasons. Herseth steps in after Mario Andaya accepted the role of CWU's deputy director of athletics, and will be supported by assistant coach Hannah Stires, a former Wildcats star. The roster returns 11 players from the championship squad, including All-GNAC honorees Ellie Marble, Kailey Willsey, Kayleigh-Shay Chang and Brooklyn Parker, alongside five seniors who anchored last year's success.
New additions feature junior outside hitter Addison Mills from Corban University and a group of freshmen expected to contribute immediately. The team faces an early test in the CWU Volleyball Invitational and the Cal Poly Pomona Tournament before conference play begins in September, with home matches slated against Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Fairbanks, Western Washington and Simon Fraser.
Why it matters
The coaching change and returning talent set the stage for Central Washington's volleyball program to pursue continued success.
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