CORVALLIS, Ore. - (Aug. 26) Behind double-digit kills from Matea Mamic and Maja Stojanovic, the Seattle University volleyball team opened the 2016 season with a 25-20, 29-27, 16-25, 25-20 win over Portland Friday afternoon at the Ultra Ankle Challenge hosted by Oregon State.
Mamic led the way with a match-high 17 kills while Stojanovic added 13 kills and seven block assists. The Redhawks also got six block assists from setter Shae Harris, who also dished 38 assists, and 22 digs from Iris Ivanis.
"This was a strong start to the season," said SU Head Coach James Finley. "We got outstanding play from Maja in the middle and Iris at libero."
The first set was back and forth early between the Redhawks and Pilots, but back-to-back Portland errors helped SU open up a 14-10 lead. SU would not trail again in the set, taking a 1-0 advantage with a 25-20 win.
Momentum carried into the second set as the Redhawks built a 13-7 lead early, forcing a Portland timeout. With SU leading 15-10, the Pilots countered with an 11-5 run, going ahead 21-20 on a Sarah Savoca kill. Stojanovic, Harris and Mamic came up big to close out the set as a block by Stojanovic and Harris snapped a 27-27 tie and a Mamic kill gave SU the set, 29-27.
The Redhawks struggled in set three, hitting -.069 as the Pilots found some life. But SU rebounded in the fourth and final set, battling from behind and scoring the final five straight points of the match.
"In the fourth set, Matea and Mila (Duarte) took over offensively," said Finley. "We need to be more disciplined and have a greater sense of urgency when we are ahead, but overall I am happy with how hard we pushed at the end to get the win."
Seattle U hit .250 for the match and outblocked the Pilots 11-8.5.
Two matches are on the slate for Saturday, including a 10 a.m. first serve against Utah State and a 7 p.m. first serve against the host Beavers.