SEATTLE - Seattle University volleyball’s (3-10, 0-3 WCC) race for its first West Coast Conference victory in 2025 was thwarted by the visiting Santa Clara Broncos (6-10, 2-2 WCC) in a 3-0 (23-25, 19-25, 17-25) defeat inside the Redhawk Center on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Grace Jones led the team registering a double-double in assists and digs, picking up 19 assists and 10 digs in the contest. The setter also secured two kills and 2.0 blocks. Her 2.0 blocks led the team on the defensive end.
Freshman Janae Demant led both teams with 11 digs for her tenth double-digit dig effort of the year. The libero also logged three assists.
SU’s offensive leaders, Adee Butler, Chloee Leslie and Teagan Melton, combined for 16 kills. Sophomore Clara Garcia grabbed SU’s lone ace in the match, while also picking up three digs and three assists.
The Redhawks combined for 26 kills, 25 assists, 39 digs and 2.0 blocks.
The match opened in back and forth, as both teams wrestled for momentum. A short burst by the Broncos put Santa Clara ahead 5-3 before a Bronco error sent Demant to the line. The freshman guided a 4-0 run to claim a two point edge over the Broncos, with Jones and junior Hailey McEllrath teamed up for a block before Butler bagged a kill. Santa Clara came back with a narrow one point lead before Butler leveled the set 9-9.
The two teams shared two more ties before the Broncos led by three, 14-11, following a Seattle U timeout. Another tug of war ensued as three more ties were shared before the Broncos broke through with a 3-0 run. With the effort of Melton, Butler and Leslie, the Redhawks hovered within one, avoiding two set points before the Broncos swiped the first set 25-23.
Seattle U struck early 4-2 after an ace from Garcia before the Broncos also turned to the service line, leading 8-6 after a pair of aces. Melton tied the set with a kill 9-9 before the Broncos pushed ahead by three, 13-10. Following a timeout, the Redhawks chipped at the lead pulling within two before a 5-1 surge by Santa Clara put Seattle U down by six. Another burst gave SCU the 22-15 advantage before Melton and a pair of Santa Clara errors pulled the Redhawks back within four. The Broncos halted the Redhawk comeback with a 3-1 run to take set two 25-19.
The Broncos carried their momentum into the third set, establishing a 9-4 early advantage with a trio of aces. While previously the Redhawks were able to respond to runs with some of their own, the Broncos matched Seattle U at every turn. Trailing 21-25, freshman Vai Unga kept the Redhawks alive with a kill but the Broncos would take the final set, 25-17, with a 3-0 run.
Seattle U returns to action next week with a pair of road contests, traveling to Saint Mary’s and Pacific next weekend. The Redhawks return home on October 15 when they host San Diego.
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