The offense of the Seattle University volleyball team struggled against Sacramento State, as the Hornets collected 19 team blocks on their way to a 3-1 victory (25-13, 20-25, 25-19, 26-24) over the Redhawks Friday night at Colberg Court.
Cristin Richards (Tumwater, Wash.) notched a double-double with 18 kills and 10 digs, while Kaytlyn Dill (Bothell, Wash.) contributed 13 kills. Megan Augustavo (Shoreline, Wash.) also earned a double-double with 38 assists and 12 digs to go along with two service aces, Alec Goodrie (Springfield, Ore.) added seven kills and three total blocks, and Lani Beadle (Seattle, Wash.) led Seattle U with 17 defensive digs.
Sacramento State (13-10) took control of the first set with five straight points, including two service aces by Kelsey Elston, for an 11-6 lead, and then extended that advantage to 18-9 with six unanswered points. The Hornets closed out the set with five straight points, with Elston finishing out the opening set with a kill and a solo block.
A block by Jordan Keller (Mukilteo, Wash.) and Goodrie started the Redhawks on a 4-0 run in the second set that gave the visitors an 8-4 lead. Sacramento State came within one point four times before Seattle U received a kill from Keller and consecutive blocks from Goodrie and Allison Farley (Happy Valley, Ore.) to hold off the home team. Richards closed out the set with a kill to tie the match at one set apiece.
A 6-0 scoring run by Sacramento State that featured two kills from Janelle Currey put the Hornets on top in the third set, 10-4. Kills by Richards bookended a 4-0 Redhawk scoring run that cut the Sacramento State lead to two at 20-18, but the Hornets won five of the final six points of the set, with a kill by Currey ending the set.
Seattle U won the first four points of the fourth set and held a 15-11 lead after an Augustavo service ace. Sacramento State won the next five points, with Currey earning a kill and a solo block and Breanne Menees collecting two service aces. The rest of the set would go back and forth, but the Hornets finally closed out the set and the match thanks to kills by Jessie Genger and Currey.
Currey finished the match with 14 kills, 14 digs, and five total blocks, while Eryn Kirby earned 13 kills and 15 defensive digs. Elston contributed six kills, three service aces, and six total blocks, and Menees finished the night with three service aces and a match-high 20 digs. Maddison Thivierge led the Hornets at the net with nine total blocks, followed by Anna Schoener with six total blocks to go along with 16 assists.
Seattle University (4-16) hits the road again next weekend with matches at UC Irvine Thursday, Oct. 27, and at Northern Colorado Saturday, Oct. 29. After playing road matches throughout October, the Redhawks return to the Connolly Center for back-to-back contests against Cal State Bakersfield Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. both nights.