Road closure. The Seattle Pacific University women’s volleyball team closes the books on the road portion of the schedule this week with a pair of in-state Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches. With just five matches remaining in this year’s campaign, the Falcons (6-7, 13-7) must win one of two matches this week in order to keep their hopes of a winning league record alive. The travelogue begins Thursday (Oct. 30) with a drive down Interstate 5 to Saint Martin’s (1-11, 6-17). Then comes the I-90 express to Ellensburg Saturday (Nov. 1) to meet Central Washington (7-5, 8-12). The Falcons return to Brougham Pavilion for the final three matches, including a visit by Western Washington Nov. 8.

Gaining ground. The objective in the final five matches will be to achieve a place in the top half of the GNAC standings and provide solid footing for 2004. Seattle Pacific has finished with a .500 or better conference record in 14 of the past 16 years, placing among the top three teams 10 times. To guarantee a top-five finish in the GNAC this season will require at least three more victories. The key will be an ability to win on the road. A year ago, when SPU was 9-16 overall, they still managed four away wins in conference. To date, they have one road victory and two overall. Last week the Falcons clinched an overall winning record for the eighth time in 10 years. They have never experienced back-to-back losing records.

Looking ahead. With this campaign drawing to a close, Coach Kellie Ryan is keeping an eye on next season, trying players in different positions and affording added playing time to younger ones. In spelling Andrea Pennington (Sr., Bellingham, Wa./Whatcom) at libero, Tiffany Butac (Fr., Pearl City, Hi./Hawaii Baptist) has had more than 20 digs in three straight matches, including a season-high 27 against Seattle U. last week. A key component of the front line, Whitney Dibble (Fr., Reno, Nv./Galena), is proving strong on the attack and as a blocker. She recorded a rare double of 10 kills and 10 blocks (tying the GNAC season-high) against the Redhawks and totaled an impressive five stuffs and 12 block assists for the two matches.

Last week’s results:
Seattle Pacific def. Northwest Nazarene 30-21, 30-21,17-30, 30-23
Seattle U. def. Seattle Pacific 21-30, 21-30, 30-28, 28-30

Gun Bauder. Jessica Bauder (Jr., Richland, Wa./Col. Basin) continues to build her case for GNAC Newcomer of the Year, not to mention a few inclusions in the SPU record books. Not only did Bauder’s three service aces in a row lead to the Falcons’ only game win over Seattle U., it brought her to within 15 aces of the school season record of 59, set by Gaylene MacDonald in 1997. Her 0.55 aces per game average is on pace to set a new record, eclipsing Dawn Wolfert’s 0.54 average from 1993. Bauder currently is second in the GNAC in serving and is tied for ninth in kills (3.61).

Quick sets. Chelsey Myers (So., Minden, Nv./Douglas) recorded 11 kills in both matches last week and served four aces altogether…The fewest road wins (excluding neutral court matches) is three in 1986, ‘93 and ‘97...The Falcons focused on blocking last week and came up with a season-high 13 versus SU and 11 against Northwest Nazarene...Following a season-low hitting percentage of .054 against Seattle U., SPU dropped to eighth in the GNAC (.187). The Falcons are third in service aces (1.96) and fourth in blocks (2.10)...Individually, setter Jenna Von Moos (Fr., Stanwood, Wa.) is seventh in assists (8.29) and eighth in service aces (0.37). Katie Ralph (So., Port Orchard, Wa./S. Kitsap-E. Tennessee St.) is sixth in hitting percentage (.268) and ninth in blocks (0.95).

Tickets, please. General admission tickets for all SPU home volleyball matches are priced $5 with students, youth and senior citizens $3 with proper identification. Teams or groups can qualify for discount rates by call (206) 281-2085 in advance.

SPU Coaches. In her first three seasons as a head coach, Kellie Ryan has guided the Falcons to new heights. Under Ryan, SPU earned its first two trips to the NCAA tournament and established a new record for consecutive wins (20) while equaling marks for most wins (24) and fewest losses (6) in a season. Ryan, whose past collegiate experience included two years under JoAnn Atwell-Scrivner at SPU (1994-95) and one year at Syracuse, was the Falcons’ starting setter from 1989-91, earning all-conference honors as a senior. She remains the SPU record-holder for service aces (142) in a career and single match assists (83). Returning to the staff as assistants are Antonela Secer and Jim Woolace.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.