THE SECOND SEASON: Coming off one of its best non-conference seasons ever, Seattle University heads into conference play and immediately faces a challenge, taking on the defending WAC regular season champion UMKC Kangaroos on their home floor. But the Redhawks are now used to taking down opponents on their home floors, with wins at California, Middle Tennessee, and Florida International so far this season. The Midwest road trip continues for Seattle U when they face Chicago State over the weekend.
THE PREVIOUS WEEK: Seattle University completed one of its most productive road trips since becoming a Division I program, defeating Middle Tennessee before winning three of four matches in Florida for a 5-2 overall road trip. After starting the season with eight straight three-set matches, Seattle U fought through second-set difficulties in three matches over the past week to defeat the Blue Raiders, Central Florida, and Florida International in four sets. Martina Samadan led Seattle U in kills (56), hitting percentage (.421), and blocks (21) over the five matches. Matea Mamic also played well during the week, collecting 53 kills along with 32 digs. Defensively, Maja Stojanovic earned 18 total blocks, and Iris Ivanis finished with 50 defensive digs. Jelena Vujcin moved to the top of the WAC in service aces thanks to 16 aces during the past week, including five aces against Bethune-Cookman and six aces against Florida International.
SCOUTING MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY: The Kangaroos come into the weekend with a 7-5 overall record, including a perfect 4-0 record at home so far this season. UMKC extended its winning streak to four matches with a 3-0 victory over South Dakota State last Thursday before losses to Missouri State and Gonzaga. As a team, the ‘Roos are hitting .225, plus they are averaging 13.02 kills, 1.26 service aces, 17.65 digs, and 2.60 blocks per set. Sydney Crimmins leads the team with 123 kills, followed closely by Jessica Hendin with 120 kills. Crimmins also leads UMKC with a .329 hitting percentage, and she is second on the squad with 130 digs and 36 total blocks. The setting duties have been split between Kaylyn Brandt (5.56 assists per set) and Nicole Wemhoff (4.93 assists per set). Hendin is tied with Meagan Kerns for the team lead in service aces with 13 apiece. Defensively, Taryn Miller leads the team in digs with 240 (5.58 digs per set), and Skyler Muff is the team leader at the net with 53 total blocks (1.23 blocks per set).
SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE: The Cougars enter the weekend with a 1-12 overall record, snapping a long losing streak with a 3-0 victory over Western Illinois last Saturday. As a team, Chicago State is hitting .120 and averaging 9.90 kills, 0.93 service aces, 11.73 digs, and 1.27 blocks per set. Elli Woinowsky leads the Cougars with 123 kills, plus she is second on the squad with nine service aces and third with 81 digs. Corey Davis has been the setter for the Cougars, averaging 7.24 assists per set, plus she leads the team with 10 service aces. Defensively, Logan Miller leads the team at the net with 19 total blocks, and Shontanae Addison paces the squad in the backline with 142 digs.