CRUCIAL STRETCH: Seattle University is just one-half game behind a tie for second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings, but the Redhawks are about to enter a crucial stretch of the season. Seattle U leaves early Wednesday morning for Las Cruces, N.M., and a rematch with New Mexico State, a team the Redhawks defeated in Seattle less than a full month ago. Seattle U then travels to Edinburg, Texas, to try and complete another season sweep, this time against UT Pan American.
LAST WEEK: Seattle University picked up a key conference victory last Saturday, defeating Utah Valley 3-1 (22-25, 25-9, 25-16, 25-21) to remain in fourth place in the conference standings, just a half-game behind the tie for second place with three weekends of league play remaining. Martina Samadan led Seattle U with 15 kills, a .500 hitting percentage, five service aces, and nine total blocks. After a slow start, Matea Mamic picked up her offense, collecting 12 of her 13 kills in the final three sets, while Iris Ivanis notched her fifth double-double of the season with 11 kills and a career-high 14 digs. Jelena Vujcin contributed seven kills, three service aces, 10 digs, and three block assists, and setter Kerry Lane finished with 49 assists and six total blocks. The 16-point second set victory was the biggest for the Redhawks this season.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE: The Aggies come into Thursday’s match with a 12-9 record overall, including a 6-3 record within the conference that has them tied with Bakersfield for second place in the league standings. Last weekend, New Mexico State defeated Bakersfield, 3-1, but lost to Grand Canyon in five sets. As a team, the Aggies are hitting .203 and averaging 12.66 kills, 1.29 service aces, 14.90 digs, and 2.65 blocks per set. Bradley Nash leads the team with 172 kills, plus she is second on the team with 165 digs. Gwen Murphy is close behind Nash with 166 kills to go along with a team-leading .303 hitting percentage and 89 total blocks. The setting duties have been split between Taylor Livoti (6.14 assists per set) and Ashlyn Brown (4.16 assists per set). Jordan Abalos leads the Aggies with 17 service aces, followed by Hannah Walker with 15 aces to go along with a team-best 272 digs.
EARLIER THIS SEASON: Seattle U earned its first victory over New Mexico State in five tries Oct. 4 at the Connolly Center, 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 29-27, 25-21). The third set featured 17 ties and nine lead changes as the Redhawks rallied from a 24-20 deficit to eventually win the set on a block by Stephanie Stoll and Jelena Vujcin. Matea Mamic led Seattle U with 15 kills, followed by Martina Samadan with 14 kills and Vujcin with 13 kills and 10 digs. Kerry Lane finished with 41 assists, five digs, and seven total blocks. Kassandra Tohm led the Aggies with 11 kills, with Jordan Abalos contributing eight kills and 13 digs.
SCOUTING TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN: The Broncs enter the weekend with a 5-18 overall record, including a 2-7 mark within the conference that puts them in seventh place. UTPA lost last weekend to Grand Canyon, 3-1, and to Bakersfield, 3-0. As a team, the Broncs have combined for a .147 hitting percentage and are averaging 11.54 kills, 1.29 service aces, 14.72 digs, and 2.03 blocks per set. Haley Durham leads the team with 219 kills and 85 total blocks, with Alisha Watson contributing 169 kills to go along with a team-high 28 service aces. Mary Kate Clark has handled the majority of the setting duties, collecting 633 assists so far this season. Nausheen Merchant leads the team with 267 defensive digs.
EARLIER THIS SEASON: On Oct. 2 in Seattle, the Redhawks earned their first WAC victory of the season with a 3-0 victory over the Broncs (25-19, 27-25, 25-22). Iris Ivanis led Seattle U with 15 kills, plus she earned eight digs and three total blocks. Stephanie Stoll contributed seven kills and eight total blocks, while setter Kerry Lane added 36 assists, four kills, two aces, and three block assists to the winning effort. Alisha Watson led UT Pan American with 10 kills and three service aces, with Haley Durham earning eight kills during the match.