November 1, 2008
SEATTLE -- Senior
Nikki Finley registered 15 kills in her final home appearance Saturday, leading the Seattle Pacific women's volleyball team to a three-game sweep of Montana State Billings in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match at Brougham Pavilion.
Finley (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) was consistent, posting five kills in each game as the Falcons won by scores of 25-19, 25-22, 25-19.
“What a great thing to have happen with Nikki leading the team in kills for her final home match. She had a great hitting percentage,” SPU coach
Chris Johnson said of Finley, who hit .286.
SPU earned a split of the season series after being swept 3-0 in Billings on Oct. 4. The Falcons record moved to 5-17 and 3-10 in GNAC outings. The Yellowjackets dropped to 5-22 and 2-11 in conference matches.
Sophomore
Kylie Johnson (Tucson, Ariz.) converted 10 of her 16 attempts into kills. She hit .500 for the match, leading SPU to a stellar team percentage of .272. Billings hit .194.
“That's the best match of her life,” Coach Johnson remarked about
Kylie Johnson. “It wasn't surprising, but statistically that's the best numbers she's had yet. She's been continuing to improve since she got here.
“She won that starting spot somewhere around midseason and she's just really coming into her own there and gaining confidence every day. She's a force up there.”
The Falcons hit .333 in the opening game and four players hit .500 or better. Trailing 5-6, SPU reeled off six straight points to take control. Junior
Cortney Weedman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) served up the final five points during the surge.
In the second game, Finley and Johnson posted matching .714 hitting percentages, combining for 11 kills and just one error. SPU held a slim 22-21 lead before closing the middle contest with a 3-1 run.
The clinching game was tied seven times, the last at 11-11, before the Falcons scored six unanswered points. Freshman
Priscilla Collings (Chula Vista, Calif.) served during the final five points of the run that she capped with back-to-back aces.
SPU scored the final three points of the third game, the final on a kill by Collings, to secure the victory.
“It was exciting to see us play really intensely from start to finish of all three games. That's something we've been having problems with at times,” explained Johnson. “Sometimes we play a great first game and then kind of relax or settle down in games two and three. We were on fire all night and passionate and ready to go. It was a great win.”
The Falcons setting duo of Weedman and sophomore
Joelle Perez (Vancouver, Wash./Heritage) had 20 and 19 assists, respectively.
Freshman
Anna Herold (Bothell, Wash./Shorecrest) was credited with 13 digs. She ranks No. 3 nationally among NCAA Division II players with an average of 5.8 digs per game.
Devon Crotteau compiled 13 kills on 30 attempts for the Yellowjackets, who got 31 assists from Hillary Morrison.
SPU wrapped up its home schedule with a 3-6 record at Brougham Pavilion.
“It feels good to win any match at this point in the season, but to win on senior night and in three just makes it that much sweeter,” Johnson exclaimed.
The Falcons conclude the season with four consecutive road games, beginning Thursday, Nov. 6 at Saint Martin's.
NCAA Women's Volleyball
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Brougham Pavilion; Seattle, Wash.
Seattle Pacific def. Montana State Billings 25-19, 25-22, 25-19.
Service aces – MSUB 1 (Jennifer Boe), SPU 5 (
Priscilla Collings 2).
Kills – MSUB 36 (Devon Crotteau 13), SPU 49 (
Nikki Finley 15).
Assists – MSUB 34 (Hillary Morrison 31), SPU 46 (
Cortney Weedman 20,
Joelle Perez 19).
Blocks – MSUB 5 (Jessica Lechner 1.5), SPU 7 (
Kylie Johnson 2.5).
Digs – MSUB 38 (Jill Trabing12), SPU 40 (
Anna Herold 13).
Attendance -- 247.
Records --
Seattle Pacific 5-17, 3-10 GNAC.
Montana State Billings 5-22, 2-11 GNAC
