ELLENSBURG — As the Central Washington Wildcats enter fall camp, they also embark on the beginning of a new chapter, according to CWU Athletics. After winning the 2025 GNAC championship and reaching the NCAA West Regional semifinals, the Wildcats enter the 2026 season with a roster loaded with experience, talent and championship aspirations. 

Lauren Herseth takes over as head coach after serving as the program's associate head coach for the last five seasons, following the departure of Mario Andaya to become CWU's Deputy Director of Athletics. Herseth will be joined by assistant coach Hannah Stires, a former standout Wildcat player who returns to the Wildcats.

Through the first few days of practice, the Wildcats have begun blending a talented freshman class with a championship-tested core that returns from last season's GNAC title team.

“We're off to a great start,” Herseth said. “It’s fun being back in the gym with our players, and back together as a team. We have a good mix of experience, and the freshman are doing a good job at adapting quickly. Every season is different and I love the creativity going on in our gym; we're buying into the right things and finding joy in the grind.”

The Wildcats return 11 players from last year's championship squad, including a trio of All-GNAC selections. Senior outside hitter Ellie Marble is back after earning First Team All-GNAC honors, while sophomore middle blocker Kailey Willsey returns after a breakout freshman season that garnered First Team All-GNAC recognition and GNAC Freshman of the Year honors. Setter Kayleigh-Shay Chang and libero Brooklyn Parker also return after receiving All-GNAC honorable mention recognition last season.

The Wildcats feature five seniors in Marble, Kennedy Webb, Hayli Tri, Mackenzie Godden, Corinne Westby and others who helped lead the program through one of its most successful seasons in recent years.

The roster also welcomes several newcomers who could make an immediate impact. Ephrata native and junior outside hitter Addison Mills arrives from Corban University, while freshmen Brooklyn Barrow, Rylee Jones, Juleah Leapai, Breven Luinstra, Arisa May-Kelly, and Madilynn Shurtleff add depth and competition throughout the lineup.

Central's schedule presents an early challenge. The Wildcats open the regular season with the CWU Volleyball Invitational, taking on San Francisco State, Point Loma and Chaminade before traveling to Southern California for the Cal Poly Pomona Tournament against Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State Los Angeles. Conference play begins in September with road matches at Simon Fraser and Western Washington.

The Wildcats hosts their conference home opener against Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, Sep. 17, followed by Alaska Fairbanks on Sep. 19, while the regular season concludes with home contests versus Western Washington on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Simon Fraser on Nov. 14 for Senior Day.

As camp opens, the foundation is already in place. The Wildcats bring back proven leadership, established talent and the confidence gained from a championship run. The challenge now is turning last year's success into sustained excellence as Central Washington embarks on a new era under Herseth's leadership.