WELCOME TO SEATTLE, PART TWO: For the second consecutive weekend, Seattle University hosts multiple matches over a short period of time, co-hosting a tournament with the University of Washington. After facing the fifth-ranked Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena Thursday night, Seattle U hosts UNLV Friday afternoon and UC Davis Saturday night.
WASHINGTON/SEATTLE U TOURNEY SCHEDULE: Thursday, September 11Seattle U at Washington - 7:00 p.m. PDT Friday, September 12UNLV at Seattle U - 1:00 p.m. PDTUC Davis at Washington - 1:00 p.m. PDTUNLV at Washington - 7:00 p.m. PDT Saturday, September 13UNLV vs. UC Davis - 1:00 p.m. PDT (@ Connolly Center)UC Davis at Seattle U - 7:00 p.m. PDTTHE REDHAWK INVITATIONAL: Seattle University went 1-2 at its own Redhawk Invitational. The Redhawks lost their first match to Pacific 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21), won the second match of the weekend over Lafayette College (25-13, 25-13, 25-17), and dropped the final match of the tournament to Oregon State of the Pac-12 (25-20, 25-22, 26-24). Martina Samadan was named to the All-Tournament Team after collecting 23 kills and 21 blocks, plus posting a .347 hitting percentage. Against Pacific, Matea Mamic continued her hot play, earning 14 kills and a .419 hitting percentage. In limited time on the court, Jelena Vujcin made a significant contribution against both Lafayette and Oregon State, collecting 11 kills and a .435 hitting percentage against the Leopards and picking up six kills in the third set against the Beavers. After struggling with its serve in the first two sets against Pacific, making 13 service errors before the intermission, Seattle U posted 21 service aces combined against Lafayette and Oregon State while committing just 16 service errors.
REDHAWK SPORTS PASS: For just $50, the Redhawk Sports Pass will serve as a general admission ticket for volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, and baseball. Visit the ticket page on GoSeattleU.com or call 206-398-GOSU (4678) for more information.
SCOUTING WASHINGTON: The Huskies maintained their #5 ranking in the latest AVCA poll after winning all three matches over the weekend at a tournament hosted by BYU. Washington was taken to five sets by the host Cougars before winning the deciding set, 15-10, and then swept Utah Valley and UMBC. The Huskies, now 6-0 so far this season, are hitting .359 as a team, fourth-best in the country, and are averaging 14.09 kills, 1.32 service aces, 11.18 digs, and 2.70 blocks per set. Krista Vansant, the National Player of the Year last season, picked up right where she left off, leading the Huskies with 88 kills, plus she is second on the team with a .430 hitting percentage and 42 digs. Kaleigh Nelson has contributed 70 kills, a .410 hitting percentage, and 13 total blocks, and Lianna Sybeldon leads the way with 36 total blocks and a .452 hitting percentage. The setting duties have been split between Katy Beals (145 assists) and Bailey Tanner (97 assists), and Cassie Strickland leads the team with seven service aces and 62 digs.
SCOUTING UNLV: The Rebels come into the weekend with a 6-2 overall record after winning all three matches at Seton Hall’s tournament last weekend. Both of UNLV’s losses came against Cal State Northridge on the opening weekend of the season. As a team, the Rebels are hitting .249 and averaging 13.48 kills, 0.90 service aces, 15.14 digs, and 3.28 blocks per set, third in the nation in that category. The Rebel offense has been spread out, with five different players averaging 1.93 kills per set or more. Daryn Glenn leads the way with 83 kills, followed by Alyssa Wing with 77 kills and Bree Hammel with 70 kills along with a team-high 48 total blocks. Alexis Patterson is the Rebels’ setter with 301 assists, plus she leads the team with seven service aces. Allison Davies leads the way in digs with 138, followed by Patterson and Glenn with 68 digs each.
SCOUTING UC DAVIS: The Aggies come to Seattle with a 2-4 overall record, winning home matches over San Jose State and Portland after losing their first four contests of the season away from home. As a team, UC Davis is hitting .179 and averaging 12.00 kills, 1.23 service aces, 14.68 digs, and 1.98 blocks per set. Kaylin Squyres leads the team with 94 kills and a .259 hitting percentage, plus she has six service aces and 66 digs. The setting duties have been split between Erika Connors (119 assists) and Sophia Mar (100 assists), with Connors also tied with Jillian Johnson for the team lead in service aces with seven apiece. Katie Quinn leads the team at the net with 23 total blocks, and Megan Lancaster paces the squad in the back with 94 digs.
NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS: After two weeks of the 2014 season, Seattle University is seventh in the country in blocks per set at 3.13 and 33rd in Division I in service aces per set with 1.79. Individually, Martina Samadan is eighth in the country in blocks per set (1.68) and 28th in total blocks (32), while Alec Goodrie is 28th in Division I in blocks per set (1.46).
IN THE WAC: As of Sept. 8, Matea Mamic is second in the WAC in service aces per set (0.44), fifth in points per set (3.81), and sixth in kills per set (3.11). Martina Samadan leads the league in blocks per set (1.68), followed by Alec Goodrie in second place with 1.46 blocks per set and Stephanie Stoll in a tie for eighth place at 1.00 blocks per set. Samadan is also sixth in the league in hitting percentage (.298) and eighth in both service aces per set (0.32) and points per set (3.53). Kerry Lane is third in the WAC in assists per set (9.26), and Shelby Babcock is 10th in the league in digs per set (3.11). As a team, Seattle U leads the conference in blocks per set (3.13) and service aces per set (1.79). In other categories, the Redhawks are third in the WAC in opponent hitting percentage (.175), fifth in hitting percentage (.150), sixth in assists per set (10.16), and seventh in both kills per set (10.89) and digs per set (11.16).