Willamette Rolls Through Pacific in Straight Sets, 25-15, 25-17, 25-14

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University recorded 37 kills and had just five attacking errors, as the Bearcats played three solid sets in a 3-0 road win over Pacific University on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Bearcats hit .381 for the match, while limiting Pacific to a -.036 hitting percentage.

"We played exceptionally well all night," Willamette Head Coach Tom Shoji said. "We really kept Pacific from getting into any kind of rhythm."

Danica Reed (Sr., OH, Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS) of Willamette recorded a match-high 11 kills. Shannon Waltz (Jr., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Sr., OH/MH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) each contributed nine kills for the Bearcats.

Emily Compton (Jr., S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) supplied 33 assists, while libero Kathy Lee Glenn (Sr., Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) registered 11 digs.

The Bearcats forced Pacific into more attacking errors (32) than kills (28) in part because of strong blocking by Willamette's front line and setter.

Waltz earned 10 total blocks on one block solo and nine block assists. Compton, Elisa Ahern (So., OPP, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) and Carly Hargrave (Jr., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) each added four block assists.

Pacific received nine kills from Marie Rewick. Becky Sheller produced 11 digs and Megan Zablan earned 22 assists.

The Bearcats, less than 24 hours after a thrilling 5-set win over nearby rival Linfield College, kept the momentum going and executed well throughout the match. Willamette hit .333 in the first set with 11 kills and two errors. WU then produced a .273 hitting percentage in the second set on 12 kills and three errors, and claimed an attack percentage of .583 in the third set with 14 kills and no errors.

Willamette built leads of 8-4 and 12-5 in the first set. The Bearcats also owned a 14-10 advantage before putting together a 6-0 run to take command of the set at 20-10.

In the second set, WU took a 10-6 lead. Pacific tallied the next three points, ending with back-to-back service aces by Rewick. The Bearcats countered with a 5-0 run to achieve a 15-9 margin. The Boxers pulled within 16-12, but another 5-0 run by Willamette put the Bearcats up 21-12.

WU trailed 5-3 in the third set, but surged forward with nine consecutive points for a 12-5 advantage. Reed and Waltz contributed two kills apiece during the run. Pacific scored the next point to cut the deficit to six points, but never got closer the rest of the way.

The Bearcats will host Whitman College on Friday, Oct. 19. Match time at Cone Field House is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT).