CLOSING TIME: Seattle University has had a week to recover from its tough five-set loss to Missouri-Kansas City at the WAC Tournament. Especially for teams in conference tournaments, the chance to end the season with a victory is rare, but that is the goal for both the Redhawks and their opponents, the Portland Pilots. In addition, this will be the final match for Seattle U at the Seattle Academy Gymnasium before they return to the refurbished Connolly Complex North Court next season.
SCOUTING PORTLAND: The Pilots enter Friday’s match with a 16-14 overall record, including a 10-2 non-conference mark that featured a 10-match winning streak from Aug. 29 through Sept. 18. Portland will finish eighth in the 10-team West Coast Conference with a 6-12 league mark. As a team, the Pilots are hitting .211 and averaging 12.23 kills, 1.28 service aces, 17.05 digs, and 2.47 blocks per set. Emily Liger leads the team with 415 total kills and 29 service aces. Djurdjina Milovic had been the team’s setter throughout the season, collecting 1,035 assists, but she hurt her hand in practice, missed the last three matches, and is not expected to play Friday. Makayla Lindburg has taken over as the Pilots’ setter, earning 30 assists against Gonzaga this past Monday. Defensively, Brittney Markwith leads the team at the net with 117 total blocks, while Monica Gajda leads the way in the backline with 433 digs, followed by Hannah Troutman with 377 digs to go along with 338 kills.
SERIES HISTORY: In the modern era of the Seattle U volleyball program (since 1999), Portland holds a 4-1 series advantage over the Redhawks. The teams first met at Portland State on Sept. 12, 2008, with Portland defeating Seattle U 3-0 (25-22, 28-26, 25-18). On Sept. 30, 2009, in Portland’s home gym, the Pilots picked up a 3-1 victory. Portland came to the Connolly Center on Sept. 21, 2010, and took a 2-1 match lead, but the Redhawks rallied for a 3-2 victory, winning the fifth set 15-13. The Pilots swept the Redhawks on Sept. 6, 2011. These teams met Nov. 28, 2014, in Portland, with the Pilots earning another 3-0 victory over the Redhawks. Jelena Vujcin led Seattle U with nine kills, while Mary Orbeta finished with 10 digs. Emily Liger led the Pilots with nine kills, with Katie Mardesich pacing the defense with 12 digs.