True grit. Grit and determination were the hallmarks of Seattle Pacific University women’s volleyball in 2003, with the Falcons playing to dramatic finishes and chasing down one seemingly unreachable ball after another. They posted their fifth winning record in six years by finishing 15-10, including a 9-3 record at home. And perhaps the most telling statistic was the team’s 5-1 record in matches that went the distance to five games. Four starters are among the nine players expected to return in 2004.

Coming together. Before the first serve crossed the net this fall, Coach Kellie Ryan knew her team’s horizon was filled with challenges. A roster that listed eight new names, including six freshman, was tasked with regaining the program’s footing after finishing below .500 for the first time in a half-decade. A strong 7-0 start quickly squelched any anxiety over the team’s inexperience and instead had the team fighting for prime positioning in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings. By midseason, the Falcons were showcasing not only their skills but their perseverance and mental toughness. In October, SPU won three out of four matches by rallying back from 2-1 deficits to win in five games.

“The best thing about 2003 for me was seeing what true fighters all the players were and watching them never give up until the final point,” said Ryan.

“We need to work on our ball control, on the serve/receive and defense, and on our ability to terminate plays,” said Ryan.

SPU finished eighth in the GNAC in kills (13.89) and seventh in hitting percentage (.178).

Reinforcements. Unlike last season when Ryan had to fill several holes in her lineup, this offseason she is left with relatively few missing pieces to the puzzle. Four seniors will be lost to graduation, including starting setter Katy Higgins (Sr., Kirkland, Wa./Redmond) and libero Andrea Pennington (Sr., Bellingham, Wa./Bellingham-Whatcom CC). A very capable part-time starter in her first season, Jenna Von Moos (Fr., Stanwood, Wa.) will succeed Higgins as setter. Her 546 assists led the team this season. Ryan also reinforced her front line by signing Alyssa Given from Salinas, Calif., to a national letter of intent in November.

For the record. Only one school record was met in 2003 but several marks rated among the all-time top five. Chelsey Myers (So., Minden, Nv./Douglas) tied the single match standard of 30 kills Oct. 3 vs. Central Washington. Monica Herrera first set the record in 2002. Higgins completed her career as the leader in assists average (9.67) and No. 2 in total assists (3549). She also holds the record for season average of 11.86, set in ‘01. In addition to her season average, Bauder’s total of 52 service aces ranks No. 3. She just missed the top five cutoff in kills average (3.58). Pennington leaves as No. 3 in career digs average (3.65).

Quick sets. The Falcons have finished with winning records for five of the last six years, going 115-53 during that span...Bauder, Myers and Ralph each earned honorable mention all-GNAC. It was the first time since 1986 that a player did not make the first or second all-league team. Higgins, Katy Kravitz (Olympia, Wa./Olympia-S. Colorado) and Stacia Willson (Jr., Colfax, Wa.) made academic all-conference...Bauder was the highest-ranking individual in the final conference statistics, placing No. 3 in service aces average (0.54). Her average of 0.59 in GNAC matches was No. 1. She was ninth in kills average (3.58). Ralph was No. 4 in blocking (0.96) and No. 8 in attacking percentage (.255). This was the first year since 1998 that two setters totaled more than 500 assists. Von Moos finished No. 8 in the GNAC (8.81) and Higgins was next (7.97)...Ryan is aware of six players planning to depart. In addition to Higgins and Pennington, also graduating are Kravitz and Andra Taylor (Sr., Camas, Wa./Camas-Mt. Hood CC). Willson and Erin Donovan (Fr., Shoreline, Wa./Blanchet) indicated they are not planning to return. Among the returnees will be Liz Shuyler (Fr., Selah, Wa.), who was a redshirt as a freshman. The starters due back are Bauder, Myers, Dibble and Kathleen Monda (Jr., Woodinville, Wa./Woodinville)...Pennington, incidentally, has turned out for the track & field team and is throwing the javelin...Tiffany Butac (Fr., Pearl City, Hi./Hawaii Baptist), who saw more and more time at libero in the second half of the season, averaged 2.90 digs and hit double figures in seven of her final eight matches...SPU avoided any three-match skids this season. The seven-match win string to start was the longest since the record string of 20 straight in 2000...A Brougham Pavilion and conference record for kills fell on the final weekend of play. O’Lita Williams of Alaska Anchorage had 31 in the five-game loss to Seattle Pacific. It was also an SPU opponent record...Kravitz cracked a career-high 15 kills in the final win of the season, over Alaska Fairbanks. Bauder hit a respectable .240 and totaled 34 kills, 31 digs and six aces in her final two matches...GNAC teams have yet to win a match at the regional level. Seattle University (first round) and Western Washington (semifinal following a bye) each lost their openers. Cal State San Bernardino beat Hawaii Pacific to take the Pacific Regional. The Coyotes advanced to the national semifinal. North Alabama swept Concordia (Mn.) in the title match.

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.