Surging spikers. Off to its best start in Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches in five seasons, the Seattle Pacific volleyball team returns home to Brougham Pavilion with a head of steam. The 18th-ranked Falcons (3-0, 9-3) seek their fifth straight victory Thursday night (Sept. 22) against Alaska Anchorage (1-3, 4-8), and Alaska Fairbanks (1-3, 1-7) arrives on Saturday (Sept. 24). Next week, the SPU is on the road, beginning with a much-anticipated bout with No. 9 Central Washington Sept. 29 in Ellensburg.

Moving on up. Having already surpassed the program’s highest previous national ranking, Seattle Pacific climbed up another two spots in the NCAA Division II national coaches poll with a pair of 3-1 victories over Western Oregon and Humboldt State. This marks the third consecutive week that the Falcons have been ranked. Central Washington and SPU, both 3-0, join 4-0 Seattle University as the only remaining unbeaten teams in GNAC play. All three losses by Seattle Pacific have been to teams currently ranked in the top 21 nationally. The Falcons have also defeated three ranked opponents, including Nebraska Kearney, which was No. 1 at the time.

Last week’s results:
SPU def. Western Oregon 30-20, 30-18, 28-30, 30-21
SPU def. Humboldt State 30-18, 24-30, 38-36, 30-22

Given a dose of power. Outside hitter Alyssa Given (So., 5-10, Salinas, Ca./Notre Dame) had her way with opposing defenses in last week’s two victories. Given tallied 42 kills and recorded a .384 hitting percentage while committing just four errors in 99 attacks. She also led the Falcons with five service aces and had 21 digs and two blocks. Against Western Oregon, Given pounded the Wolves for 24 kills on .489 hitting, both career highs. In both matches, Given was the only SPU player to record double figures in kills. Those performances earned her GNAC player of the week.

Infectious D. Defense has been a central theme to this season’s success, and the Falcons have received contributions from all over the floor. On the road last week, SPU out-hit opponents .207 to .109 and had a 20-13 advantage in blocks. Katie Ralph (Sr., 6-0, Port Orchard, Wa./South Kitsap), the GNAC leader in blocks last year, had a successful return to the lineup with five blocks in limited action after missing two matches with a dislocated thumb. Angie Wodrich (So., 5-10, Richland, Wa.) helped fill the void with 16 digs and nine blocks while setter Jenna Von Moos (Jr., 5-10, Stanwood, Wa.) chipped in with 26 digs and six blocks. Torii Mount (Fr., 5-2, Gresham, Or.) led the back row with 46 digs. The 86 digs at Humboldt State was a season-high. Seattle Pacific is averaging 2.88 blocks per game and is holding opponents to .136 hitting. Both figures lead the GNAC. SPU also ranks second in digs with 17.84 per game.

Quick sets. Given’s 24 kills equaled the most in 49 matches, dating back to a school-record 30 by Chelsey Myers (Sr., Minden, Nv./Douglas) in 2003. It was the highest four-game total since Jessica Bauder had 25, earlier in ‘03...Given has averaged 4.86 kills per game during the current win streak...Seattle Pacific has won seven of its last eight GNAC contests, dating back to last year...The Falcons, who were 14th nationally in blocking last week, are second in the GNAC in kills (14.72) and assists (13.28), third in hitting percentage (.198) and fourth in aces (2.05)...Given is third in aces (0.58), fourth in points (4.66), fifth in kills (3.86) and 18th in hitting percentage (.218) ...Ralph is third in blocks (1.12), fifth in hitting percentage (.270), 14th in points (3.38) and 15th in kills (2.65)...Von Moos ranks third in assists (11.51), 14th in blocks (0.77) and 15th in digs (2.72)...Mount ranks second in the league in digs (5.07)...SPU overcame a season-high 16 service errors at WOU by hitting .305–the second-best mark of the year...Humboldt State’s 115 digs vs. SPU was the most in the league this season.

SPU coaches. A new era begins as Chris Johnson—just the third coach in the program’s existence—aims to send the Falcons back to the NCAA for the first time in four seasons. Johnson was the team’s top assistant in 2004, and earlier served as an assistant at NAIA powerhouse Westmont from 2001-03. The Warriors reached the national tournament in ‘01 and ‘02. Last season at SPU, Johnson was in charge of defense and passing strategies and technique, as well as recruiting. He also guided the Falcons through the balance of the spring season following the resignation Kellie Ryan. A native of Bellevue and graduate of Interlake High School, Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in art from Westmont in 2002. He played a total of five years at the collegiate club level, including three at Westmont. Kaitlin Leck, a four-year starter who averaged more than 2.5 kills at Washington will serve as Johnson’s assistant. Leck was a two-time Pac-10 all-academic selection, and was a member of the NCAA semifinal team in ‘04.

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.

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 Website.