Bearcats Split Matches on Second Day of Cal Lu Fornia Tournament

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

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. -- Willamette University lost to Augustana College (Ill.) and defeated the University of Redlands on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational. Augustana won 27-29, 25-19, 26-24, 26-4, with three of the four sets determined just two points. The Bearcats moved past Redlands, 18-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-13.

During the tournament, which was hosted by California Lutheran University, the Bearcats went 2-2, while advancing their record to 5-3 on the season. Augustana moved to 6-1 after defeating the Bearcats and won an additional match to end the day at 7-1. Redlands dropped to 0-5 overall.

Augustana produced 63 kills during its win over Willamette. Martha Murray tallied 15 kills, while Nicole Morrissey earned 12 kills and three block assists. Dory Dudley and Jacquel Kibir-Evans each finished with 11 kills. Kylie Siebert achieved 33 digs, while Emily Leazer provided 28 digs.

Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) topped Willamette with 16 kills to go along with 10 digs and five total blocks. Alexa Dowdell (So., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) supplied seven kills. Peyton Wahl (Fr., DS/LIB, Richland, WA/Richland HS) led all players with 30 digs.

The Bearcats pounded out 45 kills overall, with Lindsey Compton (Jr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) claiming 36 assists. She also earned 17 digs.

Willamette lost the first set against Redlands, but rallied for the win. Fincher registered eight kills and four total blocks for the Bearcats, while Dowdell added seven kills.

Compton provided 18 assists and 16 digs for Willamette. Alexa Becker (Fr., OH, El Dorado Hills, CA/Rider University) supplied six kills and 10 digs. Wahl contributed a team-high 17 digs.

Redlands received 10 kills from Ashton Martin, who also earned three block assists. Marisa Gile accumulated nine kills. Courtney Johnson led all players with 30 digs for the Bulldogs, while Ellie McLeod claimed 32 assists.

Willamette excelled at the net on defense. The Bearcats finished with 11.0 team total blocks, as individual players combined for two block solos and 18 block assists. Taylor Lum (So., MH/OH, Honolulu, HI/Maryknoll HS) led the way with six total blocks.

Redlands held a 39-36 advantage in kills, but couldn't overcome 34 attacking errors due in part to WU's success on defense. The Bearcats made just 16 attacking errors.

In the first set, WU held an 11-8 lead, but Redlands tallied the next seven points. A bit later, the Bearcats tied the game 16-16 on a kill by Dowdell, before the Bulldogs went on a 9-2 run to win the set 25-18.

A kill by Fincher and a service ace by Becker gave WU an 11-7 edge in the second set. Redlands got as close as 12-10 on a kill by Martin, but Willamette built the lead to 19-11 with a 7-1 run. The Bearcats took the set 25-19.

Willamette opened the third set with a 10-0 run, including three kills by Fincher. WU remained comfortably in front throughout the set for a 25-14 win.

The Bullodgs used a service ace by Johnson for a 3-0 lead in the fourth set. The Bearcats answered with a 8-1 run, but Redlands pulled within 8-7 and 9-8. The next five points went to the Bearcats and WU pulled away for a 25-13 score to end the match.

Willamette will play its home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 9 against Western Oregon University. Match time at Cone Field House is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).