Despite a stellar performance by Nikole Thompson () in the final collegiate match of her career, the Seattle University volleyball team could not overcome the offense of Seattle Pacific, as the Falcons earned a 3-1 victory (30-17, 30-24, 24-30, 30-27) Saturday night in GNAC action at the Connolly Center.
Thompson led with 19 kills, plus she notched 15 digs and a .245 hitting percentage. Libby Graff () also had a solid match for the Redhawks, finishing with 11 kills, six digs, and four total blocks. Janet Beckerman () also earned four blocks to go along with five kills.
Seattle Pacific, who hit at a .246 percentage as a team, was led by Alyssa Given, who finished with 26 kills, and Nikki Finley, who came off the bench and contributed 16 kills and four total blocks. Rachel Biornstad was a force at the net, earning ten kills and nine blocks, while Angie Wodrich played a solid all-around match for the Falcons with six kills, 17 digs, and six blocks.
Seattle Pacific (15-11, 10-8 GNAC) dominated the first game, jumping out to an 8-2 lead and then going on a 9-1 run to increase the lead to 20-9 and cruise to the opening game win. Game two was closer, as Seattle came back from an early deficit to tie it at 20-20, but two Given kills gave the Falcons a lead they would not relinquish, bringing a 2-0 lead into intermission.
took advantage of 11 Falcon attack errors in the third game, going on a 10-2 run midway through the game to open a 20-14 advantage. Seattle Pacific came within four late in the third game, but two kills by Thompson prevented the sweep and extended the match. A 9-2 run early in the fourth game, including two service aces by Torii Mount, gave the Falcons a 13-8 lead. The Redhawks responded with a 9-2 run of their own to go on top 21-20, but a kill by Jessica Bettencourt gave Seattle Pacific the lead for good, and two kills by Given gave the Falcons the cushion they needed to close out the match.
Jamie Mellies (, ) finished with 39 assists, eight digs, and two blocks, while fellow freshman Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, ) led with 16 digs. For Seattle Pacific, Mount led all players with 28 defensive digs, and Bettencourt added seven kills and four blocks to the Falcon winning effort.
finishes the 2007 season with a 10-16 overall record, including a 7-11 record in the GNAC. Besides Thompson, this was also the final match for seniors Josie Christiansen (Coquille, ) and Donnelle Nicaise (), as all three were recognized before the match in Senior Night ceremonies. This was also the final match in Division II, as the volleyball team joins the rest of the athletic program in the transition to Division I, with next year being a reclassification year.