Three matches into the NWAC East schedule, the Yakima Valley volleyball team is serving notice that it may be the team to beat. The defending league co-champions improved to 3-0 last week with wins over Treasure Valley and Blue Mountain, proving that the program is still very much a factor despite graduating most of its starters from a year ago.

On Wednesday at Treasure Valley — the other 2025 co-league champion — the Yaks posted a .221 kill percentage on the way to a 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 26-24 victory. Lauren Jensen threw down 13 kills, Lauren Chamberlain and Joely Tornow each had 12, and Portlynn Stacey added seven to lead a balanced offensive effort. Aydyn Anderson posted a double-double with 24 assists and 20 digs, Mireya Kawaguchi added 17 digs and Malia Wheeler had 16 to go with 23 assists as YVC held the Chukars to a .152 kill rate. Vilomena Cavuilati contributed six kills and Emilee Nelson-Hawkins notched 13 digs in the winning effort.

Saturday's home matchup with Blue Mountain proved to be a breeze for the Yaks, who cruised to a 25-17, 25-5, 25-2 win at Sherar Gymnasium. Alivia Colbert posted a team-high 15 kills, Stacey had eight, and Chamberlain and Tornow each added five to help YVC post a sterling .420 kill percentage. Anderson delivered 29 assists and 12 digs, Colbert added 10 digs, and Jensen had four kills and eight digs to spur the Yaks (16-5 overall) to victory.

Next up is a road trip to Spokane on Wednesday, followed by a home showdown with Wenatchee on Friday.