Fincher Named First Team All-Tournamant at TLU Bulldog Classic

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

SEGUIN, TEXAS -- Two Willamette University volleyball players have been chosen for All-Tournament recognition at the Texas Lutheran University Bulldog Classic, which was held this past weekend. Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) received First Team All-Tournament honors, while Peyton Wahl (Fr., DS/LIB, Richland, WA/Richland HS) was chosen for the Second Team.

Fincher led the Bearcats with 50 kills and an average of 3.57 kills per set. She achieved a .262 hitting percentage and averaged 2.79 digs per set. She recorded 21 kills in Willamette's come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Concordia University, Texas.

Other First Team All-Tournament selections were Kristin Fording and Brette Threadgille from Texas Lutheran, Brook Brinkman and Katelyn Malcheski from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and Katie Baker from Concordia University (Texas).

Wahl, in her first action at the college level, finished the tournament with 39 digs and 3.00 digs per set. She played in 13 of the 14 sets for Willamette. She also earned a team-high seven service aces. She recorded more than 10 digs in each of Willamette's last three matches.

Also selected for Second Team All-Tournment honors were Mackenzie Benson from TLU, Kataleya Milan and Alexe Navarro from Lewis & Clark College, Allysa Chapman form Schreiner University and Codi Inloes-Wiliams from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham.

Willamette achieved a 3-1 record at the Bulldog Classic, with wins over FDU-Florham, Concordia and Schreiner. The Bearcats averaged 10.6 kills, 15.1 digs and 1.7 blocks per set. Willamette hit .190 for the weekend, while holding opponents to a .104 hitting percentage.

Up next for the Bearcats is the Posada Royale Invitational at California Lutheran University. The tournament will be held in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6.