EXPERTS IN PACKING SUITCASES: The Seattle University volleyball team should know what to bring on a road trip, as this will be the fourth different trip for the Redhawks in the month of October. Seattle U heads to Irvine, Calif., to face the UC Irvine Anteaters Thursday, followed by a journey to Greeley, Colo., for a contest against the Northern Colorado Bears Saturday. The good news for Seattle U is that this is the last road trip for the team until the end of November, giving the players some time to catch their breath and get back into a routine.
THE RENO/SACRAMENTO TRIP: Last Thursday night, Seattle University had its chances in both the first and third sets, but Nevada won the crucial points to earn a 3-0 victory (29-27, 25-20, 26-24) at the Virginia Street Gym in Reno, Nev. Kaytlyn Dill led the Redhawk offense with 12 kills, plus she earned five digs, while Jordan Keller finished with six kills, two service aces, and three total blocks. Megan Augustavo notched a double-double with 30 assists and 10 digs, Alec Goodrie led the team at the net with four total blocks, and Allie Hoskins also finished with 10 defensive digs. The first set was even throughout, with the teams trading mini-runs to gain the advantage. Nevada scored the last three points to win the first set. Nevada closed out the second set with a 6-1 scoring run, keyed by two kills and a solo block by Tessa Lea'ea, to take a 2-0 match lead into the intermission. A kill by Lea'ea and a service ace from Kelly Chang closed out the third set and the match in the Wolf Pack's favor. The next night, the offense 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 at Colberg Court in Sacramento, Calif. Cristin Richards notched a double-double with 18 kills and 10 digs, while Dill contributed 13 kills. Augustavo also earned a double-double with 38 assists and 12 digs to go along with two service aces, Goodrie added seven kills and three total blocks, and Lani Beadle led Seattle U with 17 defensive digs. After losing the first set, a block by Jordan Keller 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 to hold off the home team. Richards closed out the set with a kill to tie the match at one set apiece. However, the Hornets won the next two sets to clinch the match.
SCOUTING UC IRVINE: The Anteaters come into Thursday night's match with an 8-12 overall record. They have split the last three weekends of Big West matches. Aly Squires leads the team with 249 kills, is second on the squad with 222 digs, and is third on the team with 52 total blocks. Mary Carls leads the team with 581 assists, but Marissa Alvarez has been sharing the setting duties as of late. Alexandra Hauser leads the team with 26 service aces and is second on the squad with 57 blocks, behind Shannon Fleming's 74 total blocks to go along with her 110 kills. Kristin Winkler leads the squad with 385 defensive digs, averaging five digs per set.
SEATTLE U VS. UC IRVINE: This will be the second meeting all-time between Seattle U and UC Irvine, with the Anteaters winning the previous match. On Nov. 3, 2009, Seattle U visited UC Irvine in its third match in three days. The Anteaters swept the Redhawks, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-21). Cristin Richards notched a double-double for Seattle U with 14 kills and 13 digs, while Megan Augustavo finished with three service aces and 12 digs.
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO: The Bears enter the weekend with a 13-8 overall record. They face Sacramento State in a key Big Sky Conference matchup Thursday night before welcoming the Redhawks Saturday. Kelley Arnold leads the team with 311 kills, averaging 3.89 kills per set. She is also tied for the team lead with 63 blocks and is second on the squad with 17 service aces and 189 digs. Andrea Spaustat is second on the team with 191 kills, plus she is first with a .348 hitting percentage and also has 63 total blocks. Marissa Hughes has been the setter throughout the season, currently with 826 assists, plus she has 16 service aces and 159 digs. Amanda Arterburn paces the squad with 21 service aces and 397 defensive digs.
SEATTLE U VS. NORTHERN COLORADO: These schools met once before during their Division II eras. On August 30, 2003, at the Hawaiian Style Classic hosted by Hawaii-Hilo, Northern Colorado defeated Seattle U, 3-0 (33-31, 30-24, 30-17).