Monday, September 10, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Western Washington's volleyball team, which lost just five sets, none of them by more than six points in four matches, has earned GNAC Team of the Week honors for the week of Sept. 2-8.

The Vikings tied for the championship at the Sonoma State Seawolf Spike Invitational last weekend, winning three of four matches.

Following a five-set loss to No. 25 UC-San Diego, WWU swept Cal State Stanislaus, handed Chico State its first loss in seven matches this season with a four-set victory, and prevailed in an epic match against No.23 Sonoma State with none of the four sets being decided by more than three points. In the loss to UCSD, the Vikings held a 2-0 lead and were ahead by one-point midway through the third set.

WWU outside hitter Marlayna Geary (Sr., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) was named Most Valuable Player. Two other Vikings picked to the all-tourney team were libero Samantha Hutchinson (So., University Place/Curtis) and setter Laurie Yearout (Sr., Spokane/Lewis & Clark).

Geary had a tourney-best 76 kills and a .314 attack percentage. She posted three double-doubles, finishing with 40 digs.

Hutchinson totaled 99 digs, averaging 6.19 per set, and Yearout averaged 12.88 assists for a 206 total. All of those figures were tournament highs.

Also having standout performances for the Vikings were middle blockers Kayla Erickson (So., Gig Harbor/Peninsula) and Emily Boerger (Jr., Marysville/Marysville-Pilchuck). Erickson had 55 kills and a kill percentage of .448, and Boerger contributed 35 kills and a team-high 13 blocks.

WWU is 7-1 overall, sweeping four matches two weeks ago at the Western Oregon Invitational.

The Vikings, who were the Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason favorite, begin league play this weekend at Sam Carver Gymnasium, entertaining Montana State Billings on Friday (7 p.m.) and defending champion Seattle Pacific on Saturday (7 p.m.).