Complete Weekly Release PDF Version

All Press Releases

It’s a big one. Having split their first two Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches, and at home no less, the Seattle Pacific University volleyball team finds itself facing a very big date for early in the season. The Falcons (1-1, 6-4) host co-leader Northwest Nazarene (2-0, 8-2) to close-out their homestead Saturday night (Sept. 15). Next week SPU travels to Western Oregon and Saint Martin’s

Refuse to lose. If Seattle Pacific plans to retain its grip on the GNAC trophy, this week’s match is near-vital. In their home opener, the Falcons survived a scare from Seattle University, winning out in five games. But they were not so fortunate two nights later. Montana State Billings won in four games, holding SPU to a dismal .059 hitting percentage. That snapped winning streaks of 28 straight in GNAC play, and 21 in a row at home. Seattle Pacific has not lost two consecutive conference matches since the start of the ‘04 season.

Can you “dig” it? While everyone loves a good spike and kill put down by the home team, it’s the resounding thud produced by the team’s resident digger that often goes unnoticed by the common eye and yet holds the same value. Libero Torii Mount (Jr., 5-2, Gresham, Or./Gresham) dug and dug and dug against Seattle U., going to the floor repeatedly to thwart the Redhawks. And by the end of the evening Mount established a new school record for digs with 45. It’s a sum which also rates No. 3 all-time in the GNAC. Mount had another 20 digs versus MSUB, and is averaging 4.77 per game overall, ranking fifth in the league. Mount’s old school record of 41 was set in 2005. She set the season mark of 534 that year as well.

No. 2 is a Given. Alyssa Given (Sr., 5-10, Salinas, Ca./Notre Dame) has already made quite a name for herself this season, and she continues to pound away at the net. Needing 23 kills to move into the No. 2 spot on the career list, Given nearly got the job done in one match. She smashed and dinked for 22 in the home opener, and added another 13 versus MSUB. The Seattle Pacific record is 1249, set by Leilani Kamahoahoa (1998-01) and Given has 1154 to date.

Last week’s scores:

• Seattle Pacific def. Seattle University 27-30, 30-26, 31-29, 21-30, 15-6
• Montana State Billings def. Seattle Pacific 30-26, 30-22, 26-30, 30-21

Teamwork. There is no “I” in “Team”, and the supporting cast behind Given’s headliners is making their presence known throughout every game of every match. Rachel Biornstad (Sr., 6-0, Kent, Wa./Kentlake) had stellar showings this past week, leading the team with 14 kills and seven blocks versus Billings, and she nearly had a double-double against SU, finishing nine kills and 10 blocks. The latter tied her career high. Always consistent Angie Wodrich (Sr., 5-10, Richland, Wa./Richland) helped the attack, amassing 11 kills in each match. She also served four aces vs. MSUB.

Quick sets. Jessica Bettencourt (So., 5-11, So. Lake Tahoe, Ca./South Lake Tahoe) hit .316 versus SU and got eight kills over the five games, while Joelle Perez (Fr., 5-9, Vancouver, Wa./Heritage) had her second-highest assist total versus SU with 58...Courtney Alberi (Fr., Castaic, Ca./Valencia) had 13 kills, including two in the deciding game vs. SU...Buoyed by her numbers last week, Biornstad is now eighth in GNAC blocking (1.05) and ninth in attack percentage (.241). Given leads in service aces (0.85) and is No. 2 in kills (4.28). Perez is fifth in GNAC assists (10.25). The Falcons are second in opponent hitting (.142) and serving (2.38) and third in blocking.

Coaching Staff. Chris Johnson took the Falcons to their first conference championships, their highest national rankings and NCAA tournament berths in his first two seasons as head coach, and was twice voted GNAC co-coach of the year. Johnson was the team’s top assistant in 2004, and earlier served as an assistant at NAIA powerhouse Westmont from 2001-03. Former Central Washington star Crystal Ames joins the staff, which includes Johnny Lai and Jill Spratt.

Tickets, please. Ticket prices for all SPU regular season home games are $5 for general admission, with students and senior citizens $3. Group and team rates are available by phoning (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 web site.