The Seattle University volleyball team lost to Long Beach State, 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-13), Saturday night in a non-conference match at Walter Pyramid.
Long Beach State (5-4) took early control of the first set, pulling ahead 10-4 thanks in part to three kills by Bre Mackie. A kill by Allison Farley (Happy Valley, Ore.) and a solo block from Matea Mamic (Split, Croatia) allowed the Redhawks to cut their deficit in half, but four kills by Alex Reid buoyed a 6-1 run by the 49ers. Reid would play a role in Long Beach State’s last three points of the set with two kills and a block assist.
A kill and a block assist by Delainey Aigner-Swesey helped the 49ers open a three-point lead early in the second set. After Iris Ivanis (Pozega, Croatia) notched a kill and a solo block to pull the Redhawks to within two at 12-10, Long Beach State scored six straight points on two kills by Aigner-Swesey, a kill and a solo block from Chisom Okpala, and consecutive service aces by Chelsea Cabrajac. The 49ers would close out the second set on a 6-1 scoring run, featuring two kills by Joy Miley.
In the third set, a service ace by Kerry Lane (Tucson, Ariz.) gave the Redhawks the early lead, but the 49ers responded right away with five straight points, with Mackie earning two kills. A block assist and a kill by Stephanie Stoll (Bellevue, Wash.) pulled Seattle U to within one point, but Long Beach State would go on a 10-1 scoring run, led by Okpala with two kills and a block and Aigner-Swesey with two service aces. Aigner-Swesey finished off the set and the match with her 10th kill of the contest.
Ivanis led the Redhawk offense with six kills, while Farley finished with five kills in the match. Stoll contributed four kills and a team-high three total blocks, and Lane joined Lani Beadle (Seattle, Wash.) with six defensive digs apiece.
Besides her 10 kills, Aigner-Swesey collected two service aces, eight digs, and three total blocks, while Mackie and Reid also finished with 10 kills each. Okpala earned five kills and eight total blocks, and Erin Juley helped the 49ers post a .373 hitting percentage with 35 assists, plus she earned eight defensive digs.
Seattle University (2-10) will remain in California and face Cal State Northridge Tuesday, Sept. 17, starting at 7 p.m. at the Matadome. The Redhawks will conclude their non-conference schedule next weekend with matches against Washington State Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. and against Nevada Saturday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m., both taking place in Pullman, Wash.