SEATTLE — Fueled by a season-high hitting percentage, Seattle U volleyball was victorious in its Western Athletic Conference match on Monday, defeating UTRGV in three sets (25-18, 25-21, 25-20). As a result, the Redhawks, who improved to 2-7 on the year, snapped a five-match skid against the Vaqueros (1-10, 1-8 WAC).
Julia Queiroz paced the Redhawk attacked with a pair of career-highs as she finished with 14 kills, while hitting .600. As a result of her efficient hitting, Queiroz is now fourth in the program's Division I-era sing-match record, tying Martina Samandan.
Amaris Carter and Eve Kerschenbaum also racked up double-figure kills, with Carter registering a season-high 12 while Kerschenbaum had 11. The offense was orchestrated by Ezgi Ozkan as she finished with 42 assists. Tijana Milojevic led all players with 17 digs, while Lauren McCabe had a match-high five blocks.
Collectively Seattle U swung an efficient .325-clip while holding UTRGV to .123 hitting. The Redhawks won most statistical categories finishing with a 53-29 advantage in kills, 45-41 margin in digs and 7-5 advantage in blocks. UTRGV meanwhile edged out the Redhawks, 6-3 in service aces.
Seattle U controlled the tempo in set one as it hit .310 and held 19-4 advantage in kills. Trailing 8-6 early, the Redhawks stormed past UTRGV with a 10-2 run to grab a 16-10 lead. From there, Seattle U never looked back as it won the opening frame, 25-18.
The second set was much more contested as the Redhawks battled through six ties and five lead changes. Down 7-4 early, Ozkan sparked a 5-0 run. Carter highlighted the rally as a pair of kills sandwiched a solo block. UTRGV later responded with a 3-0 spurt of its own to pull even at 11. Down the stretch, the Vaqueros again moved out front as they rattled off four unanswered to take a 19-17 lead. Carter then tied the set at 19 before striking again to give SU a one-point advantage. UTRGV immediately tied but that was the close it got as the Redhawks pulled away, closing the set on a 5-1 run.
Hitting .359 in the second, Seattle U followed up with a .308-clip in the third. The Redhawks rolled out to a 5-2 lead and never looked back. Out front 11-8 midway through, Seattle U extended the advantage as Queiroz, McCabe and Kerschenbaum contributed kills, pushing the to 11-8. The margin then reached double-digits with consecutive swings from Sophia Bertotti Metoyer. UTRGV responded with a 4-0 rally bringing the margin to 21-16. The Vaqueros continued to push back late but the rally fell short as SU secured the sweep with a 25-20 decision.
The Redhawks return to action on Tuesday as they look to complete the series sweep. First serve is slated for 2 pm.