Richards finished with 19 kills and only one attack error in 40 attempts for a career-high .450 hitting percentage, plus she earned eight digs and three block assists. Jordan Keller (Mukilteo, Wash.) contributed five kills and a match-high eight total blocks, while Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, Calif.) led the back line with ten defensive digs. Setter Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) ran a solid offense, collecting 31 assists along with two service aces and four digs.
"We came in tonight determined to play a good game, we were very focused, and I'm pleased with how we performed. Cristin had an outstanding match, as she simply dominated tonight. Jamie also deserves credit for putting the ball in the right place every time," head coach Shannon Ellis said.
There were ten ties and seven lead changes in the first set, but Seattle U took the lead for good at 15-14 on a kill by Julia Bonadio (Phoenix, Ariz.) that started a 7-2 run. The two teams basically traded points the rest of the way, with Allison Farley (Happy Valley, Ore.) earning the kill that sealed the first set in the Redhawks' favor.
Four unanswered points by the Redhawks helped them take the early lead in the second set, and an 8-1 scoring run for Seattle U later on seemingly put the second set away. Eastern Washington held off set point with five straight points, but Seattle U finally closed out the set on a kill by Richards.
Three kills by Richards helped the visitors take an early 5-1 lead in the third set, and the Redhawks started to pull away with six unanswered points midway through the set. Seattle U would score six of the match's final seven points thanks in part to two kills and a block assist by Keller.
Eastern Washington (3-12) was led by Allison Reinstein, who earned eight kills in 11 attempts for a .727 hitting percentage, plus she led the Eagles with three block assists. Laney Brown notched 25 assists for the home team, and Lindsey Petroni led the way in the back with nine defensive digs.
Richards is now only five kills away from becoming the fifth player in Seattle U volleyball history to reach 1,000 career kills as well as entering the top ten list for most kills in a single season. Meanwhile, Deleissegues inched closer to moving up on the career digs list, now needing 14 digs to move into third place and 20 digs to reach second place.
Seattle University (8-10) continues the stretch of four Big Sky schools in five matches, traveling south to face Portland State Thursday, Oct. 7, beginning at 7 p.m. The Redhawks will then welcome Idaho State to the Connolly Center Saturday, Oct. 9, for a 7 p.m. contest that has been designated as the Dig Pink match for breast cancer awareness.