FINAL HOME WEEKEND: The Seattle University volleyball team returns to the Connolly Center for one final weekend in the 2013 season. The Redhawks are just one win away from clinching a spot in the WAC Tournament, and they are still in contention for one of the top two seeds that will earn a bye into the tournament semifinals. Thursday, Seattle U welcomes Texas-Pan American for the Broncs’ first trip to the Connolly Center. Saturday, New Mexico State comes to town for the Senior Night contest, as the Redhawks look to defeat the current WAC leaders.
LAST WEEK: It was a rough road trip last weekend for Seattle U, as the Redhawks were swept by both Bakersfield (19-25, 13-25, 22-25) and Utah Valley (19-25, 23-25, 9-25). Against Bakersfield, Iris Ivanis led the Redhawk offense with 10 kills, while Sarah Jaeckel contributed eight kills, two service aces, and seven digs. Two nights later, Martina Samadan led Seattle U with 12 kills, a .381 hitting percentage, and five total blocks. Kerry Lane notched her second double-double of the season with 23 assists and 12 digs, and Lani Beadle added nine digs, three assists, and two service aces.
SENIOR TRIBUTE: Before Saturday’s match against New Mexico State, the four seniors on the 2013 Seattle U volleyball team will be recognized for their contributions to the program. Lani Beadle is just nine digs away from becoming the sixth player in program history to reach the 1,000-dig mark. With 292 digs so far this season, she is leading the Redhawks for the second straight year and has put herself back in the WAC top ten in that category. Allison Farley has already set a personal best for kills in a season with 153 kills so far in 2013 and is just four blocks away from earning at least 70 total blocks in a single season all four years. With 284 career blocks, Farley is 14 away from third place on the all-time list and 16 away from becoming just the third person in program history with at least 300 career blocks. Sarah Jackel has moved into seventh place on Seattle U’s all-time kills list with 784 career kills. Jaeckel was a major player during Seattle U’s previous homestand, picking up double-digit kills in three straight matches, starting with a double-double against Grand Canyon with 13 kills and 14 digs. Karli Pedone earned 133 kills, 50 digs, and 16 total blocks during the 2012 season and has been one of the team’s hardest working players throughout her Redhawk career. Pedone collected a career-high 18 kills in last year’s 3-2 win over Boise State.