The Seattle University volleyball team could not find an answer to the Western Washington attack, as the Vikings earned 50 kills and nine service aces in defeating the Redhawks, 3-0 (30-27, 30-24, 30-21), in GNAC action Saturday night at the Connolly Center.
The first two games were close, as the teams combined for 18 ties and eight lead changes. However, the Vikings, led by the offense of Emily Castro and Tiana Roma as well as the defense of Courtney Schneider, were able to close out the first two games, and then took early control of the third game to earn the sweep.
was led by senior Nikole Thompson (), who earned 13 kills and 12 digs in the match. Libby Graff (, ) notched ten kills, while Emily Powell () contributed eight kills and four total blocks. Jamie Mellies () finished the match with 27 assists, 14 digs, and four total blocks.
Defensively, Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, ) picked up 14 defensive digs, while Shelly Anderson (, ) notched 12 digs and Tessa Koutsky (), inserted into the match in the third game, finished the night with ten digs.
For Western Washington (10-4, 6-1 GNAC), Roma and Castro each earned 12 kills, with Marissa Hill notching eight kills, Jaime Anderson contributing seven kills and ten digs, and Angie Alvord adding six kills, four service aces, and two blocks to the winning effort. Schneider continued to prove that she is one of the best liberos in the country, earning a match-high 28 digs, with Castro also picking up 16 digs in the match.
Seattle University (6-10, 3-5 GNAC) will have a week to prepare for its next home match, as Montana State Billings makes its first-ever trip to the Connolly Center next Saturday, Oct. 6, for a 7 p.m. contest.