After a long weekend in Alaska, Seattle Pacific University’s women’s volleyball team returned home to Royal Brougham Pavilion to play Simon Fraser University on Thursday, Nov. 7, and Western Washington University on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The Falcons defeated Simon Fraser in three straight sets: 25-23, 25-16 and 25-15.

Simon Fraser led the first set 12-6, but the Falcons caught up with two four-point runs. Sets two and three saw the Falcons in the lead from start to finish. Seattle Pacific’s fifth-year middle blockers Hannah Hair and Allison Wilks limited Simon Fraser’s top hitters to 13 kills between them, 35 less than their last match on Oct. 12.

Fifth-year outside hitter Sydney Perry and fifth-year middle blocker Hannah Hair led the team in scoring with 11 and nine kills respectively. Hair achieved her 905th career kill and 604th career block. Senior setter Emily Tulino recorded her 11th double-double this season with 36 assists and 12 digs.

Seattle Pacific lost three sets to two against Western Washington. This was the Falcons’ 30th loss to the Western Washington Vikings in program history. Seattle Pacific has defeated the Vikings nine times in program history, most recently winning three sets to two on Oct. 10.

The Falcons won the first set 25-23 after trailing for most of the set. Western Washington stuck close to SPU in the second set, eventually pulling away to a 25-17 win. In the third set, the Vikings gained a quick lead over the Falcons and held onto it for another win at 25-18.

Still the aggressor in the fourth set, WWU made it difficult for the Falcons to gain an advantage. A six-point run between Hair, Perry and freshman outside hitter Eva LaRochelle set SPU ahead 18-14, soon taking the set 25-20. Western Washington took the lead in the final set and won 15-7.

Wilks was the top scorer against the Vikings with 14 kills. Hair matched the number in blocks (14) for a new career-high. She currently leads the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in blocks with 147 total for the 2024 season. Tulino (40 assists and 14 digs) and LaRochelle (11 kills and 13 digs) recorded their respective 12th and third season double-doubles against Western Washington.

Head Coach Jason Rhine was glad the team did not give up, commenting on Western Washington’s challenge.

“They did a good job keeping the ball alive, making it hard for us to score. They’re always good servers, picking apart different spots on the court to serve,” Rhine said. “[It’s] tough to come off of a loss in the weekend, but we played well, and we want to keep playing strong for the last three games, finish the season strong.”

Seattle Pacific is fourth in the overall GNAC standings with a 7-8 conference record and a 7-16 overall record. Seattle Pacific’s next opponents are Saint Martin’s University on Thursday, Nov. 14, in Lacey, Washington, at 7 p.m. and Western Oregon University on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Monmouth, Oregon, at 1 p.m.