Willamette Upends George Fox, 3-1, as Reed Earns 17 Kills and 22 Digs

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University seniors Danica Reed (Sr., OH, Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Sr., OH/MH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) led the way on Senior Night at Cone Field House on Saturday, Nov. 3, as the hitters combined for 30 of Willamette's 49 kills. The senior leadership helped send Willamette past George Fox University, 3-1.

Willamette defeated the Bruins, 25-19, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17 to conclude the season at 9-14 overall, 7-9 in the Northwest Conference. GFU also completed its season, with the Bruins matching the Bearcats at 9-14 overall, 7-9 in the NWC. Willamette and George Fox tied for fifth place in the NWC standings.

Reed finished the night with a match-high 17 kills, while leading WU with 22 digs. She hit .261 during the match. Leenstra achieved 13 kills, seven digs and three block assists. She earned a .209 hitting percentage.

Carly Hargrave (Jr., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) added 7 kills, a .250 hitting percentage and a match-high 10 total blocks for the Bearcats.

WU setter Emily Compton (Jr., Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) contributed 37 assists, 15 digs and four blocks. Kathy Lee Glenn (Sr., LIB/DS, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) supplied 17 digs.

Lucy Carpon topped the Bruins with 13 kills. Seh also earned 19 digs. Tiffany Burk finished with 10 kills and four total block, while Payton Shrum provided 38 assists. The Bruins shot just .065 for the match.

Willamette hit .158 as a team with 49 kills during the match. In each of the three sets won by the Bearcats, WU earned 14 kills and hit over .200.

In addition, Willamette's defensive play at the net got stronger as the match progressed. The Bearcats registered one block in the first set, two in the second and three in the third. In the fourth set, WU achieved 6.0 team total blocks.

The Bearcats took a 5-1 lead in the first set, but the game was later tied at 10-10. Willamette scored the next five points to open a 10-3 run that resulted in a 20-13 advantage. The Bearcats won the set, 25-19.

George Fox answered with a 25-21 win the second set. The Bruins led 7-5 before tallying seven of the next 11 points for 14-9 margin. Willamette pulled as close as three points four times, but couldn't get any closer, as GFU evened the match at one set apiece.

Willamette was tied with the Bruins 14-14 in the third set, when Glenn served on five consecutive rallies, as the Bearcats took a 19-14 lead. The Bruins couldn't overcome the surge by Willamette. The Bearcats won the set 25-19.

After gaining a side-out to start the fourth set, Compton was ready to serve for Willamette. The Bearcats scored five straight points while she served to take a 6-0 lead, with three points on kills by Willamette and two points on attacking errors by George Fox. WU's lead reached 10-1 before the Bruins recovered.

GFU pulled within 11-6 on a kill by Burk. Later, the Bruins cut the lead to four points at 16-12 and 17-13 on kills by Capron. Willamette answered with three points in a row on kills from Reed, Kirsten Brehmer (Jr., MH/OPP, Evergreen, CO/Evergreen HS), and Shannon Waltz (Jr., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra HS) for a 20-13 lead. The Bearcats completed the match with a 25-17 win.

Following the victory, the Bearcats paid tribute to this year's four seniors: Glenn, Leenstra, Reed and Nicole Mertens (OH, Olympia, WA/Olympia HS). The ceremony ended with comments from Head Coach Tom Shoji about the commitment and leadership shown by the four seniors.