ENCORE! ENCORE!: Seattle University heads south to Portland, Ore., for a matchup against the Pilots. This will be the final match of the 2014 season for the Redhawks, and thus the final match in the collegiate careers of Alec Goodrie and Stephanie Stoll. Seattle U brings confidence into Friday’s match after advancing to the finals of the WAC Tournament last weekend.
THE WAC TOURNAMENT: Seattle University came within one match of earning the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, as the Redhawks advanced to the finals of the WAC Tournament last weekend at Bakersfield’s Icardo Center. In the first round, Seattle U eliminated Utah Valley for the second straight year, once again defeating the Wolverines in a five-set thriller (22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-25, 19-17). Martina Samadan led the Redhawks with 19 kills and a .531 hitting percentage, plus she earned seven total blocks. Matea Mamic notched a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs, Alec Goodrie contributed eight kills and eight total blocks, and Mary Orbeta led the Seattle U defense with 14 digs. The next night, Seattle U upset top seed and WAC regular season champion Missouri-Kansas City, once again going the distance to earn the 3-2 victory (16-25, 25-12, 26-24, 20-25, 16-14). Mamic earned a career-high 20 kills, plus she collected 15 digs for another double-double, while Samadan finished with 13 kills and nine total blocks. Orbeta also earned 15 digs, with Kirstin Schauble contributing a career-high 14 digs in the victory. Unfortunately, the Redhawks could not keep the positive momentum going against the host Roadrunners, as Bakersfield won the WAC Tournament title with a 3-0 victory (25-22, 25-21, 25-17). All-Tournament selections Samadan (14 kills) and Mamic (11 kills) once again reached double figures in kills as Seattle U played well offensively (.306 hitting percentage), but only managed four blocks in the match.
SCOUTING PORTLAND: The Pilots enter the week with a 6-22 overall record, including a 1-16 record in West Coast Conference play. Portland plays at Gonzaga Tuesday before coming home to take on the Redhawks Friday night. As a team, the Pilots are hitting .187 and averaging 12.08 kills, 1.41 service aces, 15.62 digs, and 1.82 blocks per set. Emily Liger leads the team with 379 kills, plus she has earned 30 service aces and 256 digs. Other players to watch include Makayla Lindburg (294 kills, 31 aces) and Katie Sullivan (175 kills, 100 total blocks).