First year outside hitter Eliana Ti’a was named WCC freshman volleyball player of the week coming off the team’s GCU classic performance. Ti’a has snagged the award for the second straight week, the first Coug to do so in program history.

The true freshman has put up quite an impressive stat line in the Cougs 3-3 start, as Ti’a has combined for 71 kills, 59 digs and only 36 errors across her 23 sets played in the team’s first six games of the season. Her coaching staff and team has been quite pleased with her performance.

“Her potential is pretty unreal.” said head coach Korey Schroeder.

Ti’a’s huge impact wasn’t necessarily expected this soon. It is not very often that a true freshman is given an opportunity to standout on the team so early and hardly do coaches expect this much out of a player getting used to collegiate play. Yet Eliana has made the most of her opportunity early.

“I’m not sure that she expected to be in the role that she is, I don’t know that we expected her to be, but she’s competed really hard,” said coach Schroeder.

Eliana Ti’a is not the only freshman to stand out and make plays for WSU volleyball, many have made an impact according to coach Schroeder. Livia Ward, Kate Hayhurst and Maddy Joswick are a few first years that caught Schroeder’s eye.

“That’s one of the things I’m most excited about, our future, how young we are,” said coach Schroder.

As the team looks forward to conference play, it seems Ti’a’s play along with the rest of her first year teammates will play a huge part in the Cougs having a successful season on the court.