The Seattle University volleyball team completed its spring season by hosting a tournament on April 26 involving Western Washington, Oregon State, and Eastern Washington. The Redhawks were competitive in every game of the single-day tournament and feel that they are ready to take the next step in the transition to Division I.
"I think for our team it was a great day because we proved to ourselves that if we can continue to improve our serving and passing, we can compete with anybody," head coach Shannon Ellis said. "Although it has been tough to practice and compete with only six healthy players, there have been some huge advantages to it. Each of our players got an enormous amount of touches on the ball. And the way this group has come together is really special. I couldn't be more pleased with our spring season."
Nine players from the 2007 squad are scheduled to return for Seattle University next season. The team will look for leadership from veterans such as Libby Graff, Emily Powell, and Jessica Gunderson. With a full year of running a collegiate offense under her belt, Jamie Mellies showed more confidence during the spring season, while Kelly Benson and Janet Beckerman will be key hitters for the team. Defensively, Emily Deleissegues, Shelly Anderson, and Tessa Koutsky will attempt to keep every ball alive in order for the SU offense to work.
Ellis has put together a 2008 schedule that will challenge the team, but prepare the program for the move to Division I. The team will be traveling to Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, California, Florida, Georgia, Utah, and Rhode Island for matches next season. The volleyball program will also have the distinction of hosting the first Division I competition at Seattle University in 28 years, as Oregon State is scheduled to come to the Connolly Center Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Other Division I schools scheduled to visit Seattle University include South Florida and Cal State Bakersfield, plus SU will host a tournament over Columbus Day weekend involving Bryant University, South Dakota, and North Dakota, three schools at the same stage of the reclassification process as Seattle University. The Redhawks are also tentatively scheduled to co-host a tournament with perennial power Washington in September.
"We have the size and the firepower and we know what we have to work on. It was a great boost for our confidence as we head into the fall at Division I. Now it is up to our players to continue their physical conditioning so we are at our best come August," said Ellis.