MALIBU, Calif. - Seattle University volleyball concluded its first weekend of West Coast Conference action in a competitive match against Pepperdine, but despite keeping pace with the Waves (7-6, 1-1 WCC) through the opening sets, Pepperdine would bar the upset minded Redhawks (6-7, 0-2 WCC) 3-0 at Firestone Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
Coming off a 23 kill performance that led both teams on Thursday night, sophomore Madyn Cervellera paced both the Redhawks and Waves with 12 kills for her 10th match in a row with double-digit kills. The outside hitter also completed her seventh double-double in her last eight matches, posting 10 digs along with her 12 kills. Cervellera also grabbed a block and two assists.
Freshman Petra Fritz and redshirt junior Yasemin Elmas combined for 10 kills, with Elmas leading the pair with a .500 hitting percentage posting five kills on 10 attempts and no errors. The duo also recorded one ace and one block a piece. Fritz led all Redhawks with 13 digs, a new season best for the freshman outside hitter.
Redshirt junior Elif Teksoy guided the Redhawk offense with 16 assists on the day, while sophomore Anae Asuncion posted 12 assists while recording four digs and two kills.
Seattle U combined for 32 kills, 31 assists, two aces, 41 digs and 3.0 blocks on the afternoon.
The Redhawks opened the day on a 3-0 run led behind kills from Elmas and senior Marley Hardgrave. Fritz capped the run with an ace before the Waves matched the Redhawk run with a 3-0 spurt of their own. The two teams traded four ties en route to the media timeout, with Pepperdine leading by four, 15-11, at the break. Trailing by five, redshirt sophomore Teagan Melton helped push the Redhawks back within three before the Waves returned with their five point lead at set point. Cervellera kept the Redhawks alive with a kill but Pepperdine would put set one away 25-20.
Once again, Seattle U opened with the early set lead, capturing a 3-1 run to open set two highlighted by an ace from Elmas. Pepperdine pivoted the lead away with a 3-0 run before freshman Alohalani Chun put the Redhawks back within one 7-6. Neither team allowed the other to build a run, but the Waves would take the 15-13 lead into the media timeout. The Waves broke free with two 3-0 runs to help take set two 25-18.
Pepperdine opened the third set with a 3-1 lead before Elmas and Cervellera leveled the set 3-all with back-to-back kills. The Waves responded with an 8-1 run, producing their first substantial lead of the day. Trailing by ten, the Redhawks rallied with a 5-1 run to keep the set alive, combining for four kills, but back-to-back errors would tip the scales in favor of the Waves to secure the 3-0 victory over Seattle U.
The Redhawks return home for their first ever home WCC match on Thursday, October 2 when they host Washington State for Volleypalooza at the Redhawk Center at 6 PM. Tickets are available for purchase at goseattleu.com/tix.
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