GRAND OPENING: The Seattle University volleyball team begins its 12th season of competition since the rebirth of the program in 1999. For the second straight year, Seattle University is teaming up with the University of Washington to host The Invitational at Seattle, but the two crosstown rivals will not face each other on the court. Seattle U hosts four matches at the Connolly Center, while the Huskies will host three contests at Bank of America Arena. The Redhawks welcome regional rivals Portland State and Eastern Washington as well as Atlantic Sun school Mercer University over the weekend. Overall, Seattle U will play eight home matches, plus at least three more home contests during the Independent Tournament in November.
2009 REVIEW: Seattle University finished the 2009 season with an 8-20 overall record, its second year playing a Division I schedule as the school goes through the reclassification process. The Redhawks posted a 3-1 victory over WAC school San Jose State during the 2009 Invitational at Seattle. At the Pepperdine Asics Classic, Seattle U earned victories over UC Riverside and Army to tie the host Waves with a 2-1 record over the weekend. The Redhawks nearly came back from a 2-0 deficit against North Dakota, but lost the fifth set, 15-11. Three days later at South Dakota, Seattle U jumped out to a 2-0 lead but was pushed to a fifth set by the Coyotes before pulling out a 15-13 victory in the deciding set. Seattle U also came back from a 2-1 deficit at Montana State, winning the final two sets over the Bobcats. One day after being swept by Cal State Bakersfield, the Redhawks earned a 3-2 victory over the same Roadrunner squad, and then finished off the season with a sweep of Saint Martin's on Senior Night. Cristin Richards led the team with 354 kills and 21 service aces, while Jamie Mellies continued to run the offense, collecting 864 assists during the season. Defensively, Kelly Biette led the team at the net with 81 blocks, and Emily Deleissegues earned 397 digs in the back to pace the Redhawks.
SCOUTING PORTLAND STATE: The Vikings enter the weekend as the defending Big Sky regular season champions, posting a 14-2 conference record and a 21-8 overall mark. Portland State has been picked by the Big Sky coaches to repeat as conference champions. After transfering from New Mexico State, Whitney Phillips made an immediate impact for the Vikings, leading the team with 516 kills. However, Portland State will need to replace its leader in assists and service aces as well as the team leader in blocks from last season. Nicole Bateham returns after leading the Vikings with 355 defensive digs in 2009.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the third meeting all-time between Seattle University and Portland State, with the Vikings winning the previous two contests. On Sept. 13, 2008, Portland State posted a 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-18, 25-18) at the Stott Center. On Oct. 7, 2009, at the Connolly Center, Portland State earned a 3-0 victory (25-19, 25-23, 25-19). These two teams will meet again in Portland Thursday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m.
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eagles come off a 2009 season in which they posted an 18-11 overall record, including a 12-4 Big Sky mark good enough for a tie for second place in the final conference standings. Eastern Washington returns nine letterwinners from 2009, including starters Chenoa Coviare and Jacque Brown. Coviare finished the 2009 campaign with 314 kills , a .305 hitting percentage, and a team-high 144 total blocks. Brown contributed 111 kills, 17 service aces, and 187 digs last season. The Eagles will also need to find a new setter after the graduation of second team All-Big Sky athlete Ashley Hamilton.
SERIES HISTORY: Seattle University and Eastern Washington are meeting for the second time ever and for the first time in Seattle. The Eagles defeated the Redhawks, 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-22) in Cheney, Wash., on Oct. 21, 2008. These two teams will meet again Monday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. in Cheney.
SCOUTING MERCER: The Bears will play four matches during their trip to the Pacific Northwest, the most of any team participating in the weekend classic. Mercer finished the 2009 season with an 11-18 record, including a 9-11 record in the Atlantic Sun to finish eighth in the league standings. Eight letterwinners, including five starters, return for the 2010 season, led by seniors Libby Hansch, Krista Hurley, and Erica Vrvilo. Mercer is also looking for a new starting setter after the graduation of Chelsea Gebben. Vrvilo and junior Amiee Frutchey are from Gresham, Ore., and should receive support from family and friends.
MOVING UP CAREER CHARTS: In the career kills list, Cristin Richards currently sits in eighth place halfway through her collegiate career:
5. Libby Graff (2005-08) 775
6. Janeen Fitzgerald (2002-05) 770
7. Nicki Wolfert (1999-01) 739
8. Cristin Richards (2008-present) 686
9. Amelie Krahn (2001-04) 680
In the all-time digs category, senior Emily Deleissegues starts the 2010 season in a tie for fifth place, with Jamie Mellies moving into the top ten as well:
4. Erika Brunson (2001-04) 1,145
T5. Emily Deleissegues (2007-present) 918
T5. Lora Burris (2000-03) 918
7. Cassey Hussey (2000-03) 874
8. Nikole Thompson (2004-07) 869
9. Marissa Vierra (2002-06) 727
10. Jamie Mellies (2007-present) 708
Current SeattleU players Jamie Mellies and Janet Beckerman are in the top ten list for total blocks, with Mellies sitting in fifth place and Beckerman advancing into a tie for seventh place:
4. Amelie Krahn (2001-04) 232
5. Jamie Mellies (2007-present) 198
6. Sarah Sommerman (2002-05) 177
T7. Josie Christiansen (2004-07) 158
T7. Janet Beckerman (2007-present) 158
9. Erika Brunson (2001-04) 149
10. Emily Powell (2006-08) 147
Mellies is also second on the career assists list with 2,875, with only Erika Brunson ahead of her. However, Mellies needs 1,030 assists to pass Brunson, who notched 3,904 assists from 2001 to 2004.
FRESH FACES: Eight newcomers, including seven freshmen, join the Seattle University volleyball program for the 2010 season. Celine Baldevia, a sophomore from Guam, joined the team during the spring season and made enough of an impression to earn a roster spot as a defensive specialist. Seattle University is tied for 11th among Division I volleyball teams with seven freshmen. Penn State, San Diego State, South Carolina, UMBC, Auburn, and UNLV all have nine freshmen on the 2010 roster. The schools with eight freshmen include New Mexico State, UTEP, Valparaiso, and Saint Louis.