SEATTLE - Seattle U volleyball (7-16, 2-10 WAC) celebrated the Turkish community in the Seattle area on Saturday afternoon, taking down Abilene Christian in five sets. The Redhawks also set a new program record against the Wildcats, recording a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) season-high 21 total blocks. The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) contest took place at the Redhawk Center on the campus of Seattle U in Seattle.
SCORING SUMMARY
Set 1: 25-16
Set 2: 25-19
Set 3: 26-24
Set 4: 24-26
Set 5: 15-13
MATCH NOTES
Seven Redhawks got involved in the record breaking afternoon with at least one block with Tatum Chase (11), Elif Teksoy (seven), Arianna Bilby (six) and Naima Foster (five) all setting new career-highs. Chase marked the highest overall total block performance for the WAC in one contest this season with the double-digit blocks day. Marley Hardgrave also had an impressive day in the front row, falling one block short of tying her career-high.
After going back and forth in set two until the score was 18-17, the Redhawks went on a four point run capped off by a Smajlovic kill that put them in front for good.
Facing defeat in set four and down 20-18, the Redhawks continued to battle and took four straight points to force the fifth set.
With the score 8-6 ACU in set five, Seattle U rattled off six straight points with kills from Hardgrave and Smajlovic starting the SU rally. Bilby sealed the Redhawk victory with a strong kill in a clutch moment.
Bilby and Smajlovic logged double-doubles for the second straight contest, with the former recording a match-high 19 kills to go along with 18 digs and the latter tallying a new career-high with 20 digs to go with 15 kills. Smajlovic hit a season-high (at least 20 attempts) .349, while Bilby marked an impressive .279.
Elif Teksoy assisted on 42 points, while Katlyn Sipes marked 16 digs and Erin Goya was the fourth Redhawk in double-digit digs with 14.
COACH COLE'S THOUGHTS
"What a way to celebrate Turkish day," said Head Coach Michelle Cole. "Meri was truly fantastic for us this afternoon. It was so awesome to be able to see the community come out and support her and our fellow international students, demonstrating the great support system they have. Ari was undeniable at the net and just gives it her all every time she goes out there. For Tatum to be able to record 11 block assists as a freshman shows a testament to her able to listen and get after it. Our team felt like if we did all this work to get to this fifth set then we are here to win this and they went out an accomplished that."
UP NEXT
Seattle U hits the road for the final time in WAC regular season play this season next week, beginning with Stephen F. Austin on Thursday at 4 p.m. pacific time.
Stay connected with Seattle U volleyball and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.
SCORING SUMMARY
Set 1: 25-16
Set 2: 25-19
Set 3: 26-24
Set 4: 24-26
Set 5: 15-13
MATCH NOTES
Seven Redhawks got involved in the record breaking afternoon with at least one block with Tatum Chase (11), Elif Teksoy (seven), Arianna Bilby (six) and Naima Foster (five) all setting new career-highs. Chase marked the highest overall total block performance for the WAC in one contest this season with the double-digit blocks day. Marley Hardgrave also had an impressive day in the front row, falling one block short of tying her career-high.
After going back and forth in set two until the score was 18-17, the Redhawks went on a four point run capped off by a Smajlovic kill that put them in front for good.
Facing defeat in set four and down 20-18, the Redhawks continued to battle and took four straight points to force the fifth set.
With the score 8-6 ACU in set five, Seattle U rattled off six straight points with kills from Hardgrave and Smajlovic starting the SU rally. Bilby sealed the Redhawk victory with a strong kill in a clutch moment.
Bilby and Smajlovic logged double-doubles for the second straight contest, with the former recording a match-high 19 kills to go along with 18 digs and the latter tallying a new career-high with 20 digs to go with 15 kills. Smajlovic hit a season-high (at least 20 attempts) .349, while Bilby marked an impressive .279.
Elif Teksoy assisted on 42 points, while Katlyn Sipes marked 16 digs and Erin Goya was the fourth Redhawk in double-digit digs with 14.
Another angle of the final Redhawk point! pic.twitter.com/cHD9yZDwV3
— Seattle U Volleyball?? (@seattleuvb) October 28, 2023
COACH COLE'S THOUGHTS
"What a way to celebrate Turkish day," said Head Coach Michelle Cole. "Meri was truly fantastic for us this afternoon. It was so awesome to be able to see the community come out and support her and our fellow international students, demonstrating the great support system they have. Ari was undeniable at the net and just gives it her all every time she goes out there. For Tatum to be able to record 11 block assists as a freshman shows a testament to her able to listen and get after it. Our team felt like if we did all this work to get to this fifth set then we are here to win this and they went out an accomplished that."
UP NEXT
Seattle U hits the road for the final time in WAC regular season play this season next week, beginning with Stephen F. Austin on Thursday at 4 p.m. pacific time.
Stay connected with Seattle U volleyball and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.