ROAD WARRIORS: After a week of preparation, Seattle University heads to Bozeman, Mont., for a Sunday matinee match against Montana State. This is the third contest in a seven-match road swing that carries Seattle U through the month of October. Of the next eight matches, half of them are against Big Sky opponents, starting with the Bobcats.
THE MOUNTAIN WEST TRIP: Seattle University faced two teams from the Mountain West Conference last week, posting a 1-1 record. The trip started in Boise, Idaho, against the Boise State Broncos. Behind a career hitting night from Allison Farley and solid performances by Cristin Richards and Kaytlyn Dill, Seattle University earned a 3-1 victory (21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-22) over Boise State Oct. 4 at Bronco Gym. Richards and Dill each finished with 14 kills, a service ace, and nine digs, with Dill also collecting four total blocks. Farley earned a career-high 13 kills, posted a .500 hitting percentage, and added five block assists, while Jordan Keller became Seattle U's all-time total blocks leader with five total blocks in the match. After losing the first set, the Redhawks won a tight second set, and used that momentum to finish off the victory over the Broncos. Megan Augustavo dished out 44 assists to go along with two kills and nine defensive digs. Alec Goodrie contributed five kills and four total blocks, and Allie Hoskins led the Redhawks with three service aces and 14 defensive digs. Two nights later in Fort Collins, Colo., Seattle U could not keep up with a powerful Colorado State offense, as the 23rd-ranked Rams posted a .507 hitting percentage on their way to a 3-0 victory (25-18, 25-16, 25-14) over the Redhawks Oct. 6 at Moby Arena. Dill led Seattle U with 11 kills and two service aces, Augustavo dished out 23 assists to go along with one service ace, and Hoskins, playing in her home state, led the team with seven digs. The Redhawks normally average over 12 digs and two blocks per set, but finished with only 19 digs and zero team blocks in the entire match.
FACING RANKED OPPONENTS: Colorado State became the third opponent ranked in the Division I AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll at the time of the match to face the Redhawks in 2011. Seattle U previously played against Oregon, ranked 16th at the time, and Washington, ranked fifth when the two teams played each other. Since moving up to Division I in 2008, Seattle U has faced a ranked team 12 times.
SCOUTING MONTANA STATE: The Bobcats enter the weekend with a 2-15 overall record, winning their first two matches of the season with thrilling five-set conference road victories over Idaho State and Weber State last weekend, winning the fifth set 16-14 both times. Montana State will host Sacramento State Saturday night before welcoming the Redhawks Sunday afternoon. Sarah Horton leads the team with 171 kills, plus she has collected 129 digs and 23 total blocks. Rachelle Allen has 151 kills along with a team-high 12 service aces and 160 digs, second-most on the team. Jennifer Lundquist has taken over as the team's starting setter, earning 8.5 assists per set, while Nicole Baker leads the way with 292 defensive digs.
SEATTLE U VS. MONTANA STATE: This will be the third meeting all-time between Seattle U and Montana State, with the Redhawks winning the previous two matches. On Oct. 26, 2009, in Bozeman, Mont., Seattle U won a five-setter over the Bobcats (24-26, 25-22, 12-25, 25-22, 15-13). Cristin Richards led the Redhawks with 19 kills, followed by Kaytlyn Dill with 16 kills. Setter Jamie Mellies notched a double-double with 49 assists, and 17 defensive digs. The rematch took place Oct. 17, 2010, at the Connolly Center in Seattle, with the Redhawks cruising to a 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-22, 25-21). Richards again led Seattle U, this time with 15 kills and two services aces, while Sarah Jaeckel contributed 14 kills along with two service aces of her own.