ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Seattle University closes out the first half of the conference season with yet another road trip, first heading to Edinburg, Texas, to face the UTRGV Vaqueros. The Redhawks then travel to Las Cruces, N.M., for an important matchup against the New Mexico State Aggies, currently at the top of the WAC standings. Seattle U looks to remain close to the conference lead as it begins to jockey for position within the WAC Tournament, now just over a month away.
NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS: As of Oct. 12, Seattle U is seventh in the country in aces per set (1.82) and 52nd in blocks per set (2.46). Individually, Martina Samadan is fifth in the country in hitting percentage (.444), and Jelena Vujcin has moved up to seventh place in Division I in aces per set (0.51).
SCOUTING TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY: The Vaqueros enter the weekend with an 8-11 overall record, including non-conference victories over Louisiana Tech and San Jose State. Within the conference, UTRGV is 1-4, tied for sixth place in the league standings. As a team, the Vaqueros are hitting .191 and averaging 11.85 kills, 1.43 service aces, 15.78 digs, and 1.46 blocks per set. Bojana Mitrovic leads the team and the league in kills per set with 4.20, plus she also leads the team with 179 digs. The setting duties have been taken over by Dubravka Vukoja, as she is averaging 10.25 assists per set in conference play. Alisha Watson leads the Vaqueros with 29 service aces, plus she is second on the team with 182 kills. At the net, Haley Durham leads the way with 58 total blocks.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE: The Aggies sit at the top of the WAC standings with a 5-0 record, part of a 15-5 overall record heading into the weekend. All five NMSU losses have come against opponents from major conferences, including three opponents nationally-ranked at the time (Arizona State, Arizona, Texas). The Aggies also dropped five-set matches at Texas A&M and against Oklahoma, the only home loss so far this season for NMSU. As a team, the Aggies are hitting .279 and averaging 14.06 kills, 1.08 service aces, 13.96 digs, and 2.20 blocks per set. Gwen Murphy has been one of the best players in the league so far this season, earning 265 kills on a .437 hitting percentage along with 12 service aces and 67 total blocks. The setting duties have been split between Brianna Ainsworth (6.05 assists per set) and Taylor Livoti (5.70 assists per set). Jordan Abalos leads the team in both service aces with 19 and in digs with 212. At the net, Sasha-Lee Thomas leads the way with 83 total blocks.