The Vandal volleyball team will try to keep its three-match win-streak alive when it travels to Seattle this Friday to face WAC newcomer, Seattle University.
Steven Devine | Argonaut
Alex Sele spikes the ball during practice Tuesday afternoon in Memorial Gym. The team will face Seattle University in Seattle at 7 p.m. Friday.
Since Idaho’s loss to San Jose State, the Vandals have rattled off three straight wins and now have a 4-2 conference record, sitting in third place behind Utah State and New Mexico State. NMSU has yet to lose a conference match this season.
Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said she likes the way her team has come together so far.
“I feel like the kids are making a push and we’re playing pretty good,” Buchanan said. “We only have one match to prepare for this week, so hopefully we can keep playing at a high level.”
Senior hitter Alex Sele said the team’s morale is high right now and they’re excited to face another conference newcomer.
“I think we’ve been playing really well and we’ve been playing as a team,” Sele said. “I’d like to say that we’re confident, but we’re also aware that they’re a good team.”
The Redhawks have had a tough go of things so far this season. They have a 1-5 WAC record, but most of those losses have come in close matches.
“They’re better than what their record is for sure,” Buchanan said. “They’re not a team we can play lightly. They’ve gone five sets with almost every opponent, except this last weekend. They’re a team that runs a good system.”
The one bright spot for the Redhawks this season has been from the service line. Seattle U leads the conference in aces and will no doubt look to capitalize on that.
“They adjust well with whatever a team brings, so we’re going to have to keep watching film and see what we’re going to bring against them and what adjustments we need to make. It should be a fun match,” Buchanan said.
For many of the Vandal players the match will be a homecoming of sorts. The team has multiple players on their roster from the Seattle area.
“It’s exciting. A bunch of us are from the Puget Sound area, so we have a lot family coming,” Sele said. “I know that our passes allow us, so I’m hoping it will feel a little like home and we’ll have a good crowd there. It should be fun.”
The Vandals won’t just be looking for their fourth consecutive win, but also to stay consistent. Consistency has been an issue at times and Sele said the team is looking to find it quickly.
“I think we’re getting better, but we’re still inconsistent at times,” Sele said. “I think it’s just a matter of finding that balance and playing with that consistency.”
After this match, the Vandals will stay on the road for two more matches, traveling to Texas-Arlington and Louisiana Tech to complete the first half of conference play.
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]