2014-15 Volleyball News

Season
Former Willamette Athlete Simmons Hired as Assistant Volleyball Coach
Former Willamette Athlete Simmons Hired as Assistant Volleyball Coach

SALEM, Ore. -- Shannon (Pun) Simmons ('01), who played outside hitter at Willamette University from 1998 through 2000, has been hired as an assistant volleyball coach for the Bearcats. Simmons will begin her duties immediately, and will join the team in person when practice begins in August.

Willamette Volleyball to Compete in 24 Matches in Fall of 2015
Willamette Volleyball to Compete in 24 Matches in Fall of 2015

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has released its volleyball schedule for 2015, and the Bearcats will play a total of 24 matches during the regular season. The schedule features 16 matches against Northwest Conference opponents.

Fincher Named Second Team All-Northwest Conference
Fincher Named Second Team All-Northwest Conference

SALEM, ORE. -- Outside hitter Sarah Fincher (Jr., Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) of Willamette University has been chosen Second Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2014 season in voting by the league's head coaches.

Bearcats Sweep Past Pacific, 3-0, to Close Season
Bearcats Sweep Past Pacific, 3-0, to Close Season

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Taylor Gee (Sr., MH/OH, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) recorded 11 kills on a .529 attack percentage and Willamette University amassed 20 team total blocks, as the Bearcats defeated Pacific University, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Nationally Ranked Pacific Lutheran Downs Bearcats in Volleyball
Nationally Ranked Pacific Lutheran Downs Bearcats in Volleyball

SALEM, ORE. -- Trailing 15-11 in the first set of the night, Pacific Lutheran conducted a 10-1 run to capture a 21-16 advantage. From that point on, the Lutes never looked back.

Bearcats to Host Pacific Lutheran, Play at Pacific to end Season
Bearcats to Host Pacific Lutheran, Play at Pacific to end Season

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will complete the volleyball season by hosting Pacific Lutheran University on Friday, Nov. 7 before playing at Pacific University on Saturday, Nov. 8. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (PST).

Missionaries Down Bearcats, 3-1, as Bafus Registers 16 Kills
Missionaries Down Bearcats, 3-1, as Bafus Registers 16 Kills

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Megan Bafus led all players with 16 kills and helped Whitman College defeat Willamette University, 3-1, on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Sherwood Center. Whitman achieved 60 kills overall, as the Missionaries advanced their record to 9-14 overall, 5-9 in the NWC. The Bearcats slipped to 11-12 overall, 6-8 in the NWC.

Whitworth Claims First Two Sets, as Pirates Defeat Bearcats, 3-1
Whitworth Claims First Two Sets, as Pirates Defeat Bearcats, 3-1

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University won the first two sets, then held off a rally by Willamette University, as the Pirates downed the Bearcats, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Oct. 31. The Pirates prevailed, 25-14, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23.

Willamette Volleyball Team to Play at Whitworth and Whitman
Willamette Volleyball Team to Play at Whitworth and Whitman

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University volleyball team travels to Whitworth University and Whitman College this weekend for a pair of Northwest Conference matches. The Bearcat will battle the Pirates on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. (PDT), before taking on the Missionaries on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.

George Fox Sweeps Past Bearcats 3-0 in Volleyball
George Fox Sweeps Past Bearcats 3-0 in Volleyball

NEWBERG, ORE. -- George Fox University won two close sets against Willamette University, and then pulled away in the third set, to defeat the Bearcats, 3-0, on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Wheeler Sports Complex. The Bruins won 25-21, 26-24, 25-16.

Willamette Downs Puget Sound in Four Sets, as Fincher Earns 19 Kills
Willamette Downs Puget Sound in Four Sets, as Fincher Earns 19 Kills

TACOMA, WASH. -- Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) pounded out 19 kills and Willamette University earned 65 kills overall, as the Bearcats defeated the University of Puget Sound, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Oct. 24. Willamette prevailed 25-20, 29-27, 18-25, 25-21.

Bearcats to Play at Puget Sound and George Fox in NWC Action
Bearcats to Play at Puget Sound and George Fox in NWC Action

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will play two Northwest Conference volleyball matches on the road this weekend, as the Bearcats are set to take on University of Puget Sound on Friday, Oct. 24 before facing George Fox University on Saturday, Oct. 25. Both matches will start at 7 p.m. (PDT).

Willamette to Host Pioneers at Cone Field House on Friday Night
Willamette to Host Pioneers at Cone Field House on Friday Night

SALEM, ORE. -- Fresh off a win over archrival Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., on Wednesday night, the Willamette University volleyball team is ready to host Lewis & Clark College on Friday, Oct. 17 at Cone Field House in another Northwest Conference match. Action between the Bearcats and the Pioneers is set to get underway at 7 p.m. (PDT).

Lewis & Clark Earns 47 Kills to Defeat Bearcats, 3-0, in Volleyball
Lewis & Clark Earns 47 Kills to Defeat Bearcats, 3-0, in Volleyball

SALEM, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College amassed 47 kills in three sets to defeat Willamette University, 3-0, on Friday, Oct. 17 in a Northwest Conference volleyball match at Cone Field House. The Pioneers earned 13 kills in the first set, added 18 in the second set, and recorded 16 in the third set, to achieve a 25-23, 25-21, 25-16 win.

Bearcats Set to Play Linfield in NWC Road Match
Bearcats Set to Play Linfield in NWC Road Match

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Linfield College will continue their rivalry in volleyball this evening, Wednesday, Oct. 15, when they battle in McMinnville, Ore., at 7 p.m. (PDT). Linfield won the first meeting between the two teams this season, taking a 3-1 victory at Cone Field House.

Ahern and Fincher each Pound Out 11 Kills, as Bearcats Down Linfield, 3-0
Ahern and Fincher each Pound Out 11 Kills, as Bearcats Down Linfield, 3-0

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Elisa Ahern (Sr., OPP, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) and Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) each recorded 11 kills, and Willamette University amassed 13.0 team total blocks, as the Bearcats defeated Linfield College, 3-0, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Wednesday, Oct. 15.