After warming up with the annual exhibition match against the alumni Friday evening, Aug. 19, the Redhawks will host Washington State, Santa Clara, and Eastern Washington in the Seattle University Tournament at the Connolly Center Aug. 26-27. Eastern Washington participates in the tournament for the second straight year, while both Washington State and Santa Clara make their first visits ever to the North Court.
Seattle U embarks on a week-long trip through Oregon, starting with matches at Portland State Wednesday, Aug. 31, and at Oregon Friday, Sept. 2. The Redhawks will then take part in the Active Ankle Challenge in Corvallis, Ore., facing Loyola Marymount and Cal State Bakersfield Sunday, Sept. 4, and host Oregon State Monday, Sept. 5. The road trip concludes at Portland Tuesday, Sept. 6.
The Redhawks make the trip to Montlake Thursday, Sept. 8, to face perennial power Washington before hosting Fresno State at the Connolly Center Saturday, Sept. 10. Seattle U continues the brief homestand Wednesday, Sept. 14, when the Gonzaga Bulldogs come to town for a 7 p.m. contest.
Seattle U travels to Davis, Calif., for the Aggie Invitational, first facing Air Force Friday, Sept. 16, before matches against Hofstra and host UC Davis Saturday, Sept. 17. After some time off, the Redhawks host Trinity Western in an exhibition contest Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Connolly Center beginning at 7 p.m.
All seven of Seattle U's matches in October will take place away from home, beginning with contests at Mountain West schools Boise State (Oct. 4) and Colorado State (Oct. 6). The Redhawks head to Bozeman, Mont., for a matinee against Montana State Sunday, Oct. 16, followed by matches on back-to-back nights at Nevada (Oct. 20) and at Sacramento State (Oct. 21). The following weekend, Seattle U heads to UC Irvine Thursday, Oct. 27, before ending the road swing at Northern Colorado Saturday, Oct. 29.
The Redhawks welcome fellow independent Cal State Bakersfield to the Connolly Center for matches on back-to-back nights Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5, beginning at 7 p.m. both nights. Seattle U concludes the home schedule Thursday, Nov. 10, against Portland State, before using two weeks to prepare for the final two matches of the season at Pacific (Nov. 25) and at Saint Mary's (Nov. 26).
Ellis is beginning her eighth season as the head coach of the Seattle University volleyball team and welcomes back 11 letterwinners. She is just five victories away from earning her 100th career victory as a head coach.