The Seattle University volleyball team came to Bohler Gym Saturday morning fired up, jumping out to an early lead and then winning the important points to defeat the Nevada Wolf Pack, 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-19), in the final match of the Cougar Invitational.
“We came out with a different mentality today, and at times we were unstoppable,” Seattle U head coach James Finley said. “Alec continued her consistent performance, Kerry played well, and we also received solid performances from Allison and Iris. It is a big relief to come out and get this win today as we start conference play next weekend.”
Seattle U scored the first five points of the match, with Stephanie Stoll (Bellevue, Wash.) earning two kills early. An 8-1 scoring run extended the Redhawk advantage to 13-2, and Seattle U would continue its solid offense the rest of the way, with a service ace by Iris Ivanis (Pozega, Croatia) and a kill by Stoll helping to clinch the set in the Redhawks’ favor.
The Wolf Pack held a three-point lead in the second set before Seattle U went on a 10-1 scoring run, led by two kills apiece by Alec Goodrie (Springfield, Ore.) and Allison Farley (Happy Valley, Ore.). Ivanis helped the Redhawks clinch the set with three kills as well as a block assist on a triple block within Seattle U’s final five points.
Nevada (2-10) scored four of the first five points in the third set, but Seattle U scored four unanswered points, the last two on service aces by Matea Mamic (Split, Croatia), to pull into an 8-8 tie. Later in the set, the Redhawks scored five straight points, thanks in part to two kills by Goodrie and a service ace from Lani Beadle (Seattle, Wash.), to take a 16-12 lead. Nevada responded with four straight points to tie the set, but Seattle U finished off the set and the match with an 8-2 scoring run, with a kill by Ivanis punctuating the victory.
Ivanis, earning a .435 hitting percentage in the match, notched Seattle U’s first double-double of the season, finishing with 12 kills and 11 digs, while Mamic collected seven kills, two service aces, and six defensive digs. Kerry Lane (Tucson, Ariz.) collected 23 assists, four kills, four digs, and three block assists, and Beadle added seven assists and nine digs to the winning effort. Goodrie collected six kills and two block assists and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Tessa Lea’ea led the Wolf Pack with nine kills, three total blocks, and a .562 hitting percentage, but Nevada was held to a .062 hitting percentage as a team. Meanwhile, Seattle U hit .337 as a team, the second-highest hitting percentage in a match by the Redhawks so far this season.
Seattle University (3-12) opens Western Athletic Conference play Thursday, Sept. 26, welcoming league newcomer Bakersfield to the Connolly Center for a 7 p.m. contest. The Redhawks will also host Utah Valley next Saturday, Sept. 28, also starting at 7 p.m. at the Connolly Center. Live stats and live video for both matches will be available on GoSeattleU.com.