PORTLAND, Ore. – A business-like mindset helped the Seattle Pacific Falcons take care of their volleyball business in impressive style last week.
 
The Falcons, who scored a 3-0 sweep of Northwest Nazarene last Thursday and a 3-2 victory against No. 15-ranked Central Washington on Saturday, have been the Great Northwest Athletic Conference's Team of the Week.
 
The award takes into consideration performances from across the GNAC sports spectrum: volleyball, cross country, soccer, and golf.
 
This is the second week in a row a Seattle Pacific squad has been selected. Last week, the women's soccer team earned the award after posting a 2-1 road victory at No. 2-ranked Colorado School of Mines.
 
 

"What stands out to me is we approached both matches really well," head coach Jason Rhine said. "We came in with a good balance of energy and poise and played two different styles of matches. But in both cases, I thought we performed well and our team did a great job of preparing and being ready for each match, just coming in and being ready to go."
 
The victories elevated the Falcons to 4-0 in GNAC play, the only undefeated team in conference matches. They are 10-2 overall and are riding a nine-match winning streak.
 
Saturday's victory against preseason favorite CWU was the first time since the 2022 season opener against No. 15 Winona State that Seattle Pacific has defeated a top-25 team.
 
"Our team worked really hard in the offseason," Rhine said. "We knew there was a good chance that could hopefully turn into success this season, and just a different style and strength of play. We've been excited to see that transfer to the court to some extent.
 
"We continue to compete hard in practice and tweak a few things," Rhine added. "I think we're at a good spot, but we're still excited for the growth we have left this season."
 
It is the second time the volleyball team has won the weekly GNAC award. The first one came almost exactly one year ago, on Sept. 26, 2022 after beating NNU and Central on the road. Overall, Seattle Pacific teams have won it 30 times since the award was initiated at the start of the 2012-13 school year.
 
Having finally gotten to play their first two home matches last week, the Falcons return to the road this week, making their annual trek to Alaska. They face Fairbanks on Thursday and Anchorage on Saturday. First serve for both matches is at 8:00 p.m. Pacific time.