BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 2 nationally-ranked Western Washington University volleyball team put together another dominating performance in a three-set sweep over Seattle Pacific University Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

 

The Vikings remained undefeated at 16-0 overall and 8-0 in GNAC play with the 25-14, 25-8, 25-7 victory on Pink Night in Carver Gym. WWU has now won 36 consecutive matches inside Carver Gym, its last 46 conference matches going back to 2017 and 46 of its last 47 matches overall since the start of the 2018 national championship runner-up season. Western is also one of just five remaining undefeated teams at the NCAA Division II level.

 

Sophomore outside hitter Gabby Gunterman (Lake Stevens, WA) led a balanced team attack with an 11-kill, 11-dig double-double while hitting at a .611 clip. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Calley Heilborn (Auburn, WA/Auburn Riverside) had 9 kills, 7 digs and a pair of aces for 11.5 points.

 

Redshirt freshman setter Malia Aleaga (Burien, WA/Kennedy) ran the offense with 27 assists, also adding 6 digs and a pair of blocks.

 

"I was really impressed with the defensive play tonight, starting from the service line and carrying it through with our floor defense," said 20^th-year WWU head coach Diane Flick-Williams. "We created a lot of opportunities and Malia (Aleaga) delivered the ball really well."

 

WWU hit .389 for the match, while holding the Falcons (5-11, 2-6) to a negative hitting percentage (-.053).

 

SPU was led by 7 kills and 10 digs from senior outside hitter Gabby Oddo.

 

The Vikings and WWU Athletics helped raise awareness and funds for cancer research and the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center in Bellingham. The Vikings wore special uniforms with pink numbers donated by Lynda Goodrich and Sara Penley, and WWU player was introduced with who they were playing for in the special match. Redshirt freshman setter Malia Aleaga and her mother were a special part of the pregame presentation, with Kelli Aleaga serving as the honorary guest coach.

 

"It is always a special night in Carver Gym with Pink Night, playing for a much greater cause," added Flick-Williams. "I am really excited and proud of how well Malia (Aleaga) played tonight especially since it was Pink Night and her mom was our guest coach."

 

The Vikings (16-0, 8-0 GNAC) head north for the annual road trip to Alaska next week, beginning with a Thursday night match vs. Alaska Fairbanks (9-7, 6-2 GNAC) at 7 pm AKT/8 pm PT and on Saturday vs. Alaska Anchorage (12-4, 7-1 GNAC). The matches in Alaska will feature the top three teams in the current GNAC standings and can be followed online via webcast and live stats at GNAC.tv.

 

The Vikings have now won 36 consecutive matches in Carver Gym dating back to 2014 season (played two seasons at Whatcom CC in 2015-16), including a perfect 13-0 record last season and off to a 5-0 start this year.

 

»      Current 36-match winning streak in Carver Gym dating back to 2014.

»      Went 13-0 in Carver Gym last season, including three wins in the NCAA II West Regional.

»      WWU is 272-81 (.771) all-time in Carver Gym, including 157-15 under Diane Flick-Williams (.913).

 

With tonight's win over the Falcons, WWU is 8-0 in conference play and 47-1 in GNAC play dating back to the 2017 season. WWU has now won 46 consecutive matches in GNAC play.

 

»      Current 46-match GNAC winning streak dating back to 2017 (last loss: 9/16/17 at NNU).

»      Recorded first 20-win season in GNAC history last season.

»      81-7 record in GNAC play over the last five seasons (2015-19).

»      The GNAC record for conference winning streak is 57 by WWU from 2001-04.

 

WWU now leads the all-time series vs. Seattle Pacific 51-26 with a current 11-match winning streak. Dating back to the 2011 season, WWU has won 15 of the last 16 matches vs. the Falcons.

 

Here is an early look at the GNAC standings through matches played on Saturday:

 

 

WWU is 16-0 on the season, extending the record for the best start to a season in program history. Passed the old mark of a 13-0 start in 2008. Both this season and the 2008 season follow NCAA II national runner-up finishes by the Vikings.

 

The Vikings have now won 46 of their last 47 matches dating back to last season. WWU is also 73-8 dating back to the start of the 2017 season.

 

Fans can follow WWU Volleyball online at WWUVikings.com/VB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUVolleyball), Instagram (@WWUVB) and Facebook (@WWUVolleyball). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

 

The WWU volleyball program has risen to elite level by advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last seven seasons and 13 of the last 18 dating back to the 2001 season. The winner of nine Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships, Western won the 2018 GNAC title with a perfect 20-0 record and the 2017 championship by posting a 19-1 league. Led by 20^th-year head coach Diane Flick-Williams, the Vikings have played in the NCAA II West Region championship match each of the last four seasons (2015-18), winning titles in 2015 and 2018. WWU played for the NCAA II national championship in 2007 and 2018, both national runner-up finishes, have advanced to the NCAA Final Four in two of the past four seasons (2015 and 2015).