With six games left in the regular season, the Spokane Sasquatch volleyball team is on the verge of an undefeated season.
Spokane has also claimed the top spot in the Under Armour Volleyball Coaches Poll for three straight weeks.
The Sasquatch 28-0, overall 9-0 in conference, sit alone in first place atop the East region with six games left to play.
“This year’s team has a very unique dynamic,” said Katlyn Mataya, the assistant coach of the Spokane volleyball team. “The girls have a great connection on and off the court.”
Spokane is also four time runner-up for the Northwest Athletic Conference Championship, and won the championship back in 2009.
“This team competes as hard at practice as they do in matches,” Mataya said.
Before coming to Spokane, Maytaya was an assistant coach at Burlington-Edison High School in Bow, Washington. During her days as a player, she won a state championship and went undefeated. She also won Gatorade Player of the Year, and was a prep All-American.
“They respect each opponent,” Mataya said. “With each opponent comes a dynamic coach and a great game plan.”
One of those players is Joelle Mahowald.
“She brings it every day in practice,” Mataya said about Mahowald. “She has made a huge impact, she has a great attitude and is very competitive.”
The middle hitter was named Under Armour Player of the Week the first week of the season.
The sophomore middle hitter saw 12 sets, had 34 kills, along with nine blocks, and had nine aces.
Other players on the team include a set of twins as well as triplets on the team.
The triplets all played Volleyball for Mead High School while the twins played for Kiona-Benton High School in Benton City, Washington.
Spokane has usually defeated teams in straight sets, except for North Idaho twice, Bellevue and Blue Mountain.
Spokane leads the league in kills per set with 13.67 and assists per set with 13.00. The Sasquatch are also first in points per set with 17.9.
“They plan for each match the same way,” Mataya said.
Spokane has a hitting percentage of 0.276, good enough for first place overall.
If you haven’t been to a match at SFCC “the atmosphere is incredible” Mataya said.
Back in week four of the season, Alisha Straw was named Under Armour Athlete of the Week. The sophomore outside hitter saw 18 sets, had five blocks, 60 kills,17 aces and 47 digs.
And just announced in week seven, Lindsey Russell was named Under Armour Athlete of the Week. The freshman middle blocker had 88 assists, 6 kills, 6 aces, 30 digs and 3 blocks.
“Often times other athletes sit front row, loud and having a good time,” Mataya said.