Nov. 2, 2002

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Middle blocker Kristy Carstensen (So., Puyallup) had a match-high 19 kills and committed just two errors in 42 attack attempts as nationally ranked Western Washington University clinched a share of its second consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference title by defeating Seattle University, 30-21, 30-20, 28-30, 30-28, in volleyball action Saturday at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Vikings, ranked No.7 in the latest AVCA NCAA Division II Top 25 and No.1 in the Pacific Region, improved to 20-2 and remained atop the GNAC standings at 15-0, extending their overall winning streak to 15 and their league victory string to 38, the eighth longest in NCAA II history. They have yet to lose in 33 GNAC matches since the league was formed in 2001.

Seattle, ranked No.10 in the Pacific Region, had an eight-match winning streak snapped as it fell to 21-4 overall but remained in second place in the GNAC at 11-3. Outside hitter Megan Kaysinger led the Redhawks with 15 kills.

"Seattle showed why they're second in the league," Western coach Diane Flick said. "They play a very solid game and never give up."

Western controlled the first two games, pulling away from a 5-5 tie to take the lead for good in the opener, then closing the second with a 15-4 run.

In the third game, Seattle led much of the way, but Western rallied to take a 28-26 lead only to have the Redhawks recover to score the final four points and send the match to a fourth game.

The score was tied nine times in the fourth game, and neither team ever led by more than three points. The Vikings finally closed the match out on a kill and a service ace by outside hitter Shannon Rowland (Sr., Bellingham/Meridian).

"It all goes back to our signature, which is defense," said Flick. "We were missing that in the third game. Once we were able to pick up a couple balls, that made our offense better."

Rowland had 16 kills for Western, as did outside hitter Brianna Murray (So., Everett/Cascade). Murray also had a team-high 27 digs, and middle blocker Meghan Evoy (So., Olympia/Capital) had 13 kills and five blocks.

Freshman outside hitter Sarah Sommerman had 14 kills for Seattle, seven of them in the final game. Libero Maggie Safranski had a match-high 34 digs.

Western travels to Humboldt State for a league match Thursday (7 p.m.)