DOWN THE STRETCH: The Seattle University volleyball team begins the final stretch of the 2014 season with road matches at Grand Canyon and Bakersfield. One win will guarantee the Redhawks a winning conference record for the second straight season, while two wins will put Seattle U at no worse than a tie for third place in the final regular season WAC standings.
NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS: In the latest NCAA statistical rankings released Nov. 10, Martina Samadan is 51st in Division I in blocks per set (1.26), followed by Stephanie Stoll in 69th place (1.22). As a team, the Redhawks are now in 26th place in the country in team blocks per set (2.69). Samadan is also 68th in the country in hitting percentage (.357).
WAC DIGITAL NETWORK: Saturday’s match at Bakersfield is scheduled to be broadcast live online by the WAC Digital Network. To access the live stream, visit this website: http://www.wacsports.com/watch.
OTHER WAYS TO FIND THE MATCHES: Links to live stats and live video for the Thursday match against Grand Canyon, as well as live stats for Saturday’s contest at Bakersfield, can be found on the volleyball schedule page of GoSeattleU.com.
SCOUTING GRAND CANYON: The Antelopes enter the weekend with a 17-9 overall record, including a 6-6 record within the Western Athletic Conference. Grand Canyon has won five matches in a row, the last four of those coming in five-set contests. Among the last five victories for the Antelopes are wins over WAC leader UMKC and second-place New Mexico State. As a team, Grand Canyon is hitting .166 and averaging 11.91 kills, 1.34 service aces, 15.88 digs, and 1.92 blocks per set. Natalie Tardy leads the team with 361 kills, followed closely by Shannon Dugan with 360 kills. Michelle Steagall has been the team’s main setter recently, averaging 8.91 assists per set. Hannah Hankins leads the team with 31 service aces. Defensively, Hannah Hicks leads the Antelopes at the net with 85 total blocks, and Mackenzie Phelps leads the way in the back with 549 defensive digs.
SCOUTING BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners enter the weekend with an 11-14 overall record. Bakersfield is tied with Seattle U and Utah Valley for third place in the WAC at 7-5 after losing in five sets at Grand Canyon last Saturday. As a team, the Roadrunners are hitting .204 and averaging 13.24 kills, 1.29 service aces, 15.79 digs, and 1.58 blocks per set. Danika Youngblood leads the team with 339 kills, plus she is second on the squad with 251 digs. Molly O’Hagan is second on the team in both kills with 286 and service aces with 22, plus she leads the way at the net with 84 total blocks. Luiza Martins leads the conference in assists with 1,038, Eryn Riley is tops on the team in service aces with 23, and Mariah Alvidrez leads Bakersfield in the back with 474 defensive digs.