WARM SURROUNDINGS: While fall has a firm grip on Seattle, the Seattle University Redhawks will leave for warmer climates over the weekend, traveling to Bakersfield, Calif., and Phoenix, Ariz., for two key volleyball matches. Seattle U enters Thursday night’s match at CSU Bakersfield just one-half game behind the Roadrunners, and a victory would propel the Redhawks into third place, at least on pace with New Mexico State and Utah Valley. The Redhawks then head to Grand Canyon for a Halloween afternoon contest against the Antelopes.
THE PREVIOUS WEEK: Seattle University picked up two victories over the weekend, but neither match was easy. For just the fourth time in program history, the Redhawks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win a match, defeating Chicago State Thursday 3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-15, 29-27, 15-8). Three different Redhawks notched double-doubles using three different combinations of statistics, led by Matea Mamic with 14 kills and 16 digs. Martina Samadan collected 10 kills and 12 total blocks, while Kerry Lane took over setting duties midway through the second set and finished with 28 assists and 10 digs, plus she was a perfect 4-for-4 in attack attempts. Saturday, the Redhawks completed a season sweep of Missouri-Kansas City, defeating the Kangaroos 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 25-18). Samadan led the Redhawks with 17 kills, a .556 hitting percentage, four service aces, and six total blocks, while Jelena Vujcin contributed 15 kills. Lane notched another double-double with 44 assists and 12 digs, and Iris Ivanis finished with 16 digs and four service aces.
NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS: As of Oct. 26, Seattle U is fourth in the country in aces per set (1.91) and 45th in blocks per set (2.51). Individually, Jelena Vujcin is now third in the country in service aces per set (0.59), while Martina Samadan is now eighth in Division I in hitting percentage (.433). Vujcin’s eight aces against UTRGV Oct. 15 are tied for second in Division I in a four-set match and tied for fourth in all matches. Samadan’s 12 blocks against Chicago State Oct. 22 are tied for fourth in five-set matches and tied for ninth in all matches involving Division I programs.
SCHEDULE CHANGE: The start time for the Friday, Nov. 27 home match against Portland has been moved up to 5 p.m. at Seattle Academy.