As the NWAC East nears the midpoint of the conference schedule, the Yakima Valley volleyball team is hoping to put a little distance between itself and its nearest challengers.

With two matches remaining before the teams make the turn — including a showdown with second-place Columbia Basin this week — the Yaks sit firmly atop the East standings at 5-0, and are ranked fourth in the latest NWAC coaches' poll. YVC (18-5 overall) has now won eight of its past 10 matches overall and appears to be gearing up for a sixth consecutive appearance in the NWAC Championships later this fall.

Last Wednesday at Spokane, the Yaks took care of business in short order, winning 25-19, 25-17, 25-17. Lauren Chamberlain led the offensive attack with nine kills, while Vilomena Cavuilati had six and Alivia Colbert and Lauren Jensen added five apiece as the Yaks posted a .183 kill percentage. Aydyn Anderson delivered 15 assists and Malia Wheeler had 10, while Portlynn Stacey threw down four kills. Official defensive stats were unavailable on NWACSports.com.

YVC was equally solid two nights later at home, taking down Wenatchee 25-17, 25-15, 25-14 behind 13 kills by Chamberlain and 12 by Colbert. Jensen, Stacey and Cavuilati recorded nine kills apiece, while Wheeler and Anderson served up 23 and 22 assists, respectively. Emilee Nelson-Hawkins posted a team-high 25 digs, followed by 21 from Colbert and 18 from Kamree Mills. Stacey added three blocked shots and Anderson had two blocks and 11 digs to lead a balanced effort for the Yaks.

Next up, YVC will visit fourth-place Big Bend on Wednesday before hosting CBC on Friday night at Sherar Gymnasium.