Complete Box Score

SEATTLE (Nov. 3) - Alyssa Given had a match-high 20 kills to lead Seattle Pacific to a 3-1 volleyball victory over Seattle University in a battle for first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Thursday night at SU's Connolly Center.

The Falcons (14-2 GNAC, 20-5), ranked No. 16 in NCAA II, came out on fire and finished strong to move within two matches of their first GNAC championship with a 30-15, 30-27, 25-30, 30-25 victory. The GNAC champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA II tournament as one of eight teams from the Pacific Region. The Redhawks (12-3, 15-11) suffered a serious blow to their GNAC title and playoff hopes.

Given (So., 5-10, Salinas, Ca.), who hit at a .340 clip, was a big part of SPU's blistering start with three kills as part of five straight points that gave the Falcons a commanding 20-9 lead in Game 1 en route to an easy victory.

SPU fell behind 24-20 late in the second frame, but rallied for the win, scoring five straight points in crunch time to turn a 26-23 deficit into a 28-23 lead. The Redhawks outlasted SPU in the third game, but the Falcons received an inspired performance from senior captain Katie Ralph (6-0, Port Orchard, Wa./South Kitsap) to give the team its season-best ninth-straight win.

Ralph, who has seen very limited action since dislocating a thumb over a month ago, recorded four kills on a .800 hitting percentage and a block in Game 4. She scored back-to-back kills to turn away a late Redhawk rally and put SPU on top 28-24.

Angie Wodrich (So., 5-10, Richland, Wa.) added 12 kills and 12 digs in the victory. She hit at a .391 clip as Seattle Pacific hit .283 as a team. Chelsey Myers (Sr., 5-10, Minden, Nv./Douglas) chipped in with 12 kills and three blocks. Setter Jenna Von Moos (Jr., 5-10, Stanwood, Wa.) had eight kills on .538 hitting and a match-high 53 assists.

Sarah Sommerman led the Redhawks with 17 kills in the loss. Nikole Thompson added 15 kills and 12 digs.

The Falcons out-hit the Redhawks .283 to .186 and hit above .300 in all but their Game 3 loss. SPU also enjoyed advantages of 12-3 in blocks and 6-1 in service aces.

The Falcons wrap up regular season play with two more road matches. SPU next plays at Saint Martin's in GNAC action Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.

Seattle Pacific def. Seattle 30-15,30-27,25-30,30-25

Seattle Pacific (20-5, 14-2 GNAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Given,Alyssa 20-0-3; Myers,Chelsey 12-0-3; Wodrich,Angie 12-3-3; Von Moos,Jenna 8-2-2; Dibble,Whitney 7-0-6; Ralph,Katie 4-0-1; Biornstad,Rachel -0-5; Mount,Torii 0-1-0; Totals 64-6-12.0. (Assists) - Von Moos,Jenna 53. (Dig leaders) - Mount,Torii 18; Wodrich,Angie 12; Butac,Tiffany 10

Seattle (15-11, 12-3 GNAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sommerman,Sarah 17-0-1; Thompson,Nikole 15-0-1; Kauhane,Owena 9-0-1; Fitzgerald,Janeen 7-0-1; Burrows,Jenny 6-0-2; Graff,Libby 1-0-0; Keegan,Tymmony 1-0-0; Vierra,Marisa 0-1-0; Totals 56-1-3.0. (Assists) - Vierra,Marisa 47. (Dig leaders) - Safranski,Maggie 19; Thompson,Nikole 12; Vierra,Marisa 11; Mulick,Melissa 10; Keegan,Tymmony 9

Site: Seattle, Wash. (Connolly Center). Date: Nov 03, 2005. Attend: 413. Time: 1:51. Referees: Robyn Filimaua, Teri Wood.