Seattle University volleyball broke the attendance record Oct. 8 when the Redhawks took on their opponents from the east, Washington State, with more than 650 people in attendance. The stands were packed with students, alumni and local supporters, all energized to witness a new era of Redhawks volleyball.
“The crowd was electric,” Head Coach Dan Behnke said.
In the match against Washington State, junior and sophomore setters Elif Teksoy and Grace Jones tallied 29 assists combined. Freshman Libero Katelynn Albano also made her presence known, leading the team with 15 digs and contributing multiple aces. Her quick reflexes and confident floor coverage have been essential in tight rallies.
During the tight moments, when the crowd was clenching their teeth and sighing with each ball touching the floor on either side of the net, the Redhawks kept their composure. When asked how the team and coaches stay calm despite it all, Behnke credited their Mental Performance Coach, Rafael Colon, for teaching the players various techniques, including positive affirmations and breathing exercises.
“A lot of what I do on the sidelines is try to stay composed, because their emotional energy feeds off what I’m doing,” Behnke said. “But sometimes they need to, and I told them they needed to fight a little bit. And if they’re angry because of the way they’re playing, it’s okay to show that and draw from that emotion.”
In a loud room with high expectations from both sides, regulating emotions can be the difference between a comeback and a total collapse in tight sets.
The turnout of the game can be attributed to Seattle U’s recent transition into the West Coast Conference (WCC). The entire Seattle U community has expressed excitement about returning to the WCC.
For the players, the change also brings fresh opportunities both on and off the court, such as playing against more challenging competition and traveling further for games.
“We get to travel to Cali, which is really fun, and every match teaches us something new,” Sophomore Outside Hitter Madyn Cervellera said.
With the WCC including teams like Pepperdine, LMU and San Diego, Seattle U is now competing in one of the most competitive volleyball conferences in the country. The WCC is known for its strong academic institutions and competitive athletic programs, particularly in basketball and volleyball.
The women’s volleyball team is continuing to adapt to the pace with a record of 6-9. The recent match against Washington State started strong with the Redhawks securing the first set with a score of 25-17. Though they dropped the following three sets, the Redhawks showed flashes of potential and put up a great fight throughout the match. The game tested the resilience and the composure of the team.
“I just wish we would have played a little bit better. The way we competed last weekend, taking LMU to five sets and playing really well against Pepperdine, I expected us to pick up where we left off, but that’s what volleyball is sometimes,” Behnke said.
Behnke credited Washington State for their amazing game plan and the lessons they had to offer for the team. Behnke also stated that this game will help the squad be ready to take on the University of Portland on Saturday. The Portland match will be another chance for Seattle U to sharpen its game and build rhythm heading into the midseason.
Looking ahead at the second half of the season, the Redhawks are ready for a challenging stretch ahead. They travel to face Portland Oct. 4, followed by a road matchup against Gonzaga on Oct. 11. Seattle U will then return home for a pair of key matches against Pepperdine Oct. 16 and San Diego Oct. 18, both teams known for their strong conference presence.
The team will also face tough road tests at Saint Mary’s and Pacific, while continuing to host home games against Santa Clara, San Francisco, Portland and Gonzaga. The regular season will conclude with a back-to-back series of matches against Oregon State, San Francisco and Santa Clara in late November.
With this mix of travel and home-court opportunities, the Redhawks aim to build momentum, sharpen their play, and climb the WCC standings during the second half of the season.
