MORAGA, Calif. - Seattle University volleyball’s pursuit of its first conference victory was spoiled by Saint Mary’s as the Redhawks (6-13, 0-8 WCC) fell in five sets to the Gaels (6-13, 4-4 WCC) 3-2 on Thursday evening at UCU Pavilion.
The Redhawks captured the opening two sets and maintained leads late through the remainder of the match, but the Gaels defended their home turf and disrupted SU’s bid for a road conference win.
Sophomore Madyn Cervellera captured her third 20+ kill effort of the year, leading all Redhawks with 20 kills on the evening. The outside hitter also locked up her ninth double-double of the season, grabbing 11 digs to go along with 2.0 blocks and an ace.
Junior Adee Butler added nine kills, while junior Teagan Melton and redshirt junior Yasemin Elmas combined for 19. Elmas led SU on the defensive end, combining for 3.0 total blocks.
Freshman Petra Fritz led the Redhawks from the service line, posting three aces. The outside hitter also recorded seven kills. Fellow freshman Katelynn Albano matched Fritz with three aces, while leading all Redhawks with 13 digs.
Redshirt junior Elif Teksoy recorded a career night, posting a new season high 48 assists. The setter also enjoyed a double-double, posting 10 digs. Teksoy also recorded a season high three kills, one shy of tying her career best.
Seattle U combined for 61 kills, 55 assists, six aces, 51 digs and 10 blocks.
The Redhawks matched the Gaels turn for turn after an initial deficit, breaking through to lock up their first lead of the day with a 4-0 run kickstarted by an Elmas kill and capped by a block from Cervellera. Saint Mary’s wrestled back the lead out of the break before Butler pushed SU back up by two, 20-18.
The Gaels leveled the set with a 4-2 swing before Fritz and Cervellera locked up set point with kills. Saint Mary’s forced extras after two scores tied the first 24-all before Cervellera and a Gael error pushed the set victory in favor of the Redhawks 26-24.
A similar fight defined the second set, as the Gaels and Redhawks traded scores with one another early. Saint Mary’s built its lead to three and played keep away through the middle but the Redhawks swung back to even the set 14-all with a 5-0 run. The Gaels responded in kind, pushing their lead to six, 21-15. SU rallied back to pull back within three with an ace from Elmas, forcing a Saint Mary’s timeout.
Out of the break, a block by senior Marley Hardgrave and Teksoy pulled the Redhawks within one before Saint Mary’s secured set point. Three straight scores swung set point to the Redhawks with kills from Cervellera and Fritz. Cervellera would claim the final kill and an additional Gael error completed the comeback 27-25 in favor of the Redhawks.
Holding a 2-0 set lead on the road, the Gaels hit first with a 4-1 run before keeping the Redhawks down by as many as nine through the middle of the set. Once more, a concerted effort by the Redhawks to consistently chip at the Saint Mary’s lead proved effective, as they dwindled the deficit to two behind an ace from Fritz. A 4-0 run by SU late in the set secured the Redhawks’ first lead of the third, but the Gaels forced a fourth set behind a 3-0 run.
A back and forth fourth set saw six ties before the Redhawks jumped ahead by three, 14-11, with a block from Hardgrave and Melton. Seattle U maintained its lead despite trading scores and did not trail the Gaels until a 4-0 run from Saint Mary’s. A block from Elmas tied the set 23-all but Saint Mary’s leveled the match from the service line, capturing an ace to down the Redhawks in the fourth 25-23.
Saint Mary’s quickly took control of the fifth set, leaping out to a 7-1 lead before a 4-1 run pulled the Redhawks back within three. The Gaels would not allow the Redhawks the chance to comeback, scoring seven to SU’s two to upset the Redhawks 15-7 in the final set.
The Redhawks return to action on Saturday when they host Santa Clara for their Dig Pink match at the Redhawk Center at 1 PM. Tickets are available for purchase at goseattleu.com/tix.
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