Richards notched a double-double, leading the team with 14 kills and 13 digs. Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) also collected 13 digs to go along with four kills and 31 assists, while Megan Augustavo (Shoreline, Wash.) finished with three service aces and 12 digs. Kaytlyn Dill (Bothell, Wash.) contributed eight kills and 10 digs, and Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, Calif.) added 11 digs to the effort.
Down 15-13 in the first set, SeattleU rallied behind two kills by Jessica Gunderson (Duvall, Wash.) and one by Jordan Keller (Mukilteo, Wash.) to take a 17-15 lead. UC Irvine roared back, going on its own 4-0 run to retake the lead at 19-17, and then won the final five points of the set with two kills each from Alexandra Hauser and McCall Miller.
UC Irvine (18-6) scored five unanswered points in the second set to pull ahead, 12-8. Down by seven late in the set, Seattle University did not give up, scoring five straight points, including back-to-back aces by Augustavo, to pull within two at 23-21. A kill by Miller brought about set point, and a SeattleU service error allowed the Anteaters to win the second set.
Seattle University made only one attack error in the third set, posting a .312 hitting percentage, but UC Irvine was still able to pull ahead with three straight kills to take a 17-14 lead. Again behind by six points, the Redhawks pulled within three with two kills by Richards, but Marissa Alvarez clinched the match for the home team with a kill.
Miller led all players with 18 kills and also collected 11 digs. Alvarez had a good night at the setter position with 39 assists and eight digs, and Juliane Piggott earned eight kills with only one attack error. Kari Pestolesi led all players with 26 digs during the contest.
Seattle University (7-20) will head home for a week to prepare for the final match of the 2009 season, hosting Saint Martin's next Tuesday, Nov. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Connolly Center. It will be the final collegiate match for Gunderson, the lone senior on this year's squad.