CHENEY, Wash. – With the Big Sky Conference portion of the schedule in full swing, the Eastern Washington University volleyball team (5-8, 2-2) hits the road for the second week in a row. On Oct. 5, the Eagles take on Northern Arizona (6-9, 2-2) before traveling to Southern Utah for an Oct. 7 matchup against the Thunderbirds (5-11, 0-4).
LAST TIME OUT: A four-match win streak came to an end on Sept. 28 when the Eagles fell to Northern Colorado by a score of 3-1. Eastern fought back from a 2-0 deficit, but dropped the match. Regan Harr collected her fifth double-double of the season while Megan LaFond set a new career-high with 26 digs.
On Sept. 30, the Eagles were swept by the defending Big Sky Champions, North Dakota. Both Ashley Seiler and Regan Harr garnered double-doubles in the loss. It marked the fourth straight match that Harr had both her digs and assists reach the double digits.
EAGLE LEADERS: Ashley Seiler leads Eastern with 209 kills, good for 3.94 a set, which also leads the Big Sky. Regan Harr has dished out a total of 347 assists (6.55/set) and leads the team with 15 service aces along with Emma Dunn. Defensively, Megan LaFond has totaled 288 digs. The seniors 4.30 digs per set ranks fifth in the Big Sky. Freshman Jayde Robertsen leads the team with 38 total blocks.
As a team, Eastern is only hitting .127 but they have been able to limit their opponent's hitting percentage to under .200 all season. They average 15.5 digs/set which ranks fourth in the conference, while their 1.3 service aces a set is also fourth.
SEILER'S SUCCESS: In addition to ranking first in the Big Sky all season with 3.94 kills a set, senior Ashley Seiler ranks in the top-100 nationally in several statistical categories. Her 11.64 attacks per set ranks 28th, while her kills per set ranks her 53rd in all of Division I. In addition, she ranks 69th in points per set (4.33), 97th in total attacks (617), and 122nd in total kills (209).
The Cheney, Wash., native has led the team in kills in 12 of 13 matches and has compiled kills into double figures in all but one as well with a career high 28 at Binghamton earlier this season. She has garnered six double-doubles on the season and 14 total in her career.
SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS: Northern Arizona is 6-9 overall and 2-2 in conference play which is currently third in the Big Sky South Division. The Lumberjacks have fallen to Northern Colorado in conference play, but have topped Southern Utah and Idaho State.
Offensively, NAU ranks fourth in the Big Sky with a hitting percentage of .214, as they average 11.7 kills/set. Heaven Harris paces the Lumberjacks in hitting percentage with a clip of .378, which is third in the conference. Kaylie Jorgenson leads the team with 188 kills (3.48/set) and in digs with 174 (3.22). Abby Akin has compiled a team-leading 19 service aces and 51 total blocks, good for 1.04 a set. The Lumberjacks are allowing their opponents to hit .223 and average 13.8 kills per set.
SERIES HISTORY: Eastern leads the all-time series 36-28, but have only won three out of the last ten meetings. EWU is currently riding a one-match win streak over the Lumberjacks after topping them 3-1 in Cheney last season. Under head coach Michael King, the Eagles are 1-2 overall. They are also 15-14 on the road in Flagstaff all-time.
SCOUTING THE THUNDERBIRDS: Southern Utah sits at 5-11 with an 0-4 mark in Big Sky play. Recently, they were swept by both Weber State and Idaho State. The Thunderbirds are 0-4 at home this season.
MaCail Evans ranks fourth in the Big Sky with 86 total blocks, good for 1.34 per set. She is also fifth in hitting percentage with a .335 clip. As a team, SUU is hitting .164 with 11.33 kills per set, while allowing their opponents to swing .209 with 13.36 kills/set. Offensively, they are led by Macky Fifita who has compiled 197 kills to go along with 210 digs. Alexis Averett has dished out 462 assists, which is seventh in the Big Sky.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday marks only the ninth meeting all-time between the two programs, with Eastern holding a 6-2 advantage. EWU is also 3-0 in Cedar City and are on a two-game win streak over the Thunderbirds. Last season, Eastern Washington swept SUU 3-0 in Cheney.
NEXT UP: Eastern returns home for the first time this month, and the third time all season, to take on Idaho State on Oct 12. First serve is set for 6 p.m. The Eagles then travel to Idaho for a 7 p.m. matchup on Oct. 14.
