Multiple Redhawks Post Career-Highs Against NM State

SEATTLE - Seattle U volleyball wrapped up its 2022 home schedule, falling to New Mexico State in five sets (25-22, 20-25, 22, 25, 29-27, 13-15). Four Redhawks set new career-highs in the match, headlined by Shanice Horn's 23 kills. The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) match was played at the Redhawk Center in Seattle.  

The Redhawks honored seniors Amaris Carter, Shanice Horn, Lauren McCabe and Ezgi Ozkan pregame. 

"This afternoon we played with passion, all out effort and determination," said Head Coach Michelle Cole. "Our seniors played their hearts out, knowing this would be their final moments in the Redhawk Center. I wrote in our locker room that we need to savor all the moments, making them last as long as we can and they did that today. You can teach volleyball but you can't teach passion and everyone demonstrated that today."

Seattle U started the match strong by winning the first set. After opening the match with four straight points, senior Amaris Carter and Horn would combine for nine kills to help clinch the first set. The Redhawks kept sets two and three close but were unable to take the set victory, falling behind going into set four.

Set four went back and forth before sophomore Arianna Bibly's fifth service ace of the night sent the match into a winner take all fifth set. The Aggies would eventually take the match after a kill from Molly Johnson. 

As a team, Seattle U recorded its highest total blocks (13) and second highest total kills (58) in a match this season. 

Bilby set a new career high in service aces, becoming the first Redhawk since Michelle Taynton in 2018 to have six service aces in one match. This is the sixth time in SU history a Redhawk has had six service aces in a match, which is third best all-time. The native of Arlington, Wash., finished the match with 14 kills, seven digs and three total blocks. 

Senior Ezgi Ozkan recorded her fifth double-double of the season, assisting on 42 points and setting a new career-high in digs with 18. Freshman Marley Hardgrave also logged a new career-high in total blocks, finishing with seven in this match to go along with four kills. 

Senior Amaris Carter logged new season-highs in kills (9) and digs (13), finishing one kill shy of a double-double. Sophomore Erin Goya recorded 15 digs, marking her 10th double-digit dig match of the season which ties for the team lead. Senior Lauren McCabe added in six total blocks and kills to conclude the notable performances.

Seattle U will begin its final road stretch against Grand Canyon on Thursday at 5 p.m. in Phoenix.  

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