Balanced Redhawk Attack Too Much For Western Oregon

Western Oregon (6-14, 4-6 GNAC) was led by Laura Sakala with 17 kills and an outstanding .500 hitting percentage.

Salem-News.com

SEATTLE, Wash. - The Seattle University volleyball team used double-digit kills from four players to beat Western Oregon in four games Thursday night at the Connolly Center.

Seattle won the first two games by a score of 30-23 before dropping game three, 30-27. However, the Redhawks gathered themselves to dominate game four, 30-20.

Nikole Thompson led the way with 18 total kills, while Josie Christiansen chipped in 13 kills, Owena Kauhane had 12 kills, and Libby Graff 11 kills as Seattle outhit Western Oregon .271 to .169.

The Redhawks got off to a slow start falling behind 8-5 before Marisa Vierra used a dink kill to start the Seattle rally. Thompson then took control with eight kills in the game. Seattle used a team hitting percentage of .378 to overwhelm the Wolves and cruise to a game one victory.

Game two was again marked by a balanced Seattle attack and mistakes by Western Oregon. Haley Bury came on for her first four kills of the match to add to the Redhawk attack. The Wolves managed just a .122 hitting percentage, including nine attack errors.

After the intermission Western Oregon looked to get back in the match and did so winning 30-27. The Wolves used six kills from Katrina Johnson as well as three team service aces. The Redhawks did not help their cause, committing seven attack errors en route to their lowest hitting percentage of the match at .200.

Seattle did not let the comeback last long however, as they reenergized to dominate game four. Christiansen had three of her 13 kills and a crucial service ace to help Seattle cruise to victory. Thompson put an exclamation point on the match with a block and a kill for the final two points.

Seattle libero Melissa Mulick had 27 digs to lead the defensive effort and now needs just eight digs to reach the 1,000-career dig mark. Vierra added 56 assists and 16 digs, and Tori Ross also contributed defensively with 11 digs.

The Wolves will next host Seattle Pacific on Saturday, start time is 7:00 PM.

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