| | Published October 1st, 2008
| St. Mary's Women Dismantle Seattle University
| | By Kevin D. Shallat |  | | Back row (left to right):Missy White, Megan Burton,Shannon Lowell, Brittany Barker, Lauren Jaeckel, Taylor Groess, Lyndsey Parker; Front row (left to right): Kapua Kamana'o, Alita Fisher, Megan York, Erin Thompson, Nikki Gonzalez, Chanteal Satele, Kelly Huston Photo Tod Fierner
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The Saint Mary's women's volleyball team got off to a good start at home as they hosted their first game of the season against a young and inexperienced Seattle University team.
It was a special homecoming of sorts for the Gaels as they returned from Hawaii after playing national powers Washington and host Hawaii, ranked Nos. 9 and 10 in the nation respectively. After beating UOP in Hawaii and no. 19 Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, the Gaels continued their strong play on Friday, Sept. 26, as they beat the Seattle University Redhawks 3-0.
This year, Seattle University begins a formal four year transition period back into division I sports. It will return to full active status in the fifth year and be eligible for the NCAA championships.
The Gaels may have breezed by Seattle in this match, but the Redhawks have two weapons that they can build upon for the future. Freshmen Cristin Richards and Kaytlyn Dill gave the Gaels all they could handle, as both players were involved in many plays for the Redhawks. Richards led all players with 16 kills.
The Gaels jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the first game, but the Redhawks kept the score close throughout the match. Seattle closed the scoring gap to 23-17, but the game was not as close as the score indicated.
Sophomore sensation Megan York did most of her damage in the match during the first game, recording six of her 14 kills. Junior middle blocker Megan Burton is emerging as one of the key players on this Gaels squad. Burton's strong defensive play around the net helped propel the team to win their first game 25-17. She would finish the match with nine kills, second only to York's 14.
The second game proved to be a struggle for the Gaels, and they had trouble distancing themselves from the Redhawks. After Seattle evened the score 8-8, head coach Rob Browning urged his players to get focused. Soon after, Taylor Groess answered the call, breaking the tie with one of her eight kills for the match.
Late in the game, York impressed the crowd with a defensive play in the style of Willie Mays or Andre Agassi. She chased a ball all the way under the VIP section of seats, hitting it blindly over her head and back into the Redhawks side of the net.
"I go for everything, or at least I try to, and I expect the same thing from my teammates," said York.
Saint Mary's was able to sneak by Seattle in the second game 25-20, and finished off the Redhawks with a score of 25-17 in the third game.
Catch the next Gaels game by checking the schedule online at:
www.SMCGaels.com
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 | | Megan York (8) Photo Tod Fierner
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA