SEATTLE – Seattle University volleyball came out of the gates strong in its Western Athletic Conference opener Saturday against Grand Canyon, but despite a thrilling first set victory, the Lopes clinched a four-set win, 27-29, 26-24, 25-13, 25-16.
All told, the match featured 33 tie scores and 10 lead changes as the first two sets went to extra points to determine a winner.
In the first set, the Redhawks took a 28-27 lead on an Elmas kill, then clinched the set on a GCU attack error.
Seattle U used a 3-0 run on back-to-back Bilby kills and a Sipes service ace to take a 15-9 lead midway through the second set. But the Lopes would slowly close the gap, eventually taking a 22-21 lead on an Anaelena Ramirez kill.
The Redhawks briefly led 24-23 on a block by Smajlovic and Hardgrave, but the Lopes would score the final three points of the set and the momentum stayed in the visitor's favor for the remainder of the match.
The Redhawks (2-8, 0-1 WAC) got a match-high 16 kills and 11 digs from Arianna Bilby. Merima Smajlovic added 14 kills and 18 digs while Yasemin Elmas had 12 kills on the day. Katlyn Sipes collected 21 digs while setters Elif Teksoy and Anae Asuncion combined for 47 assists.
Seattle U wraps up its opening week of WAC play on Monday, hosting Utah Valley in the Redhawk Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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