Nationally Ranked Pacific Lutheran Downs Bearcats in Volleyball

By Brandon Chinn, Athletics Communications Writer

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.

Pacific Lutheran won the first set 25-20 before cruising through the second set (25-18) and third set (25-21) en route to a 3-0 sweep. The Lutes are ranked #20 in the NCAA Division III Poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

With the win, Pacific Lutheran improved to 14-2 in Northwest Conference play (21-4 overall) and clinched at least a share of the NWC title. Willamette fell to 11-13 (6-9 NWC).

Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Southwest Baptist Univ.) led the way for Willamette with 12 kills and a .393 hitting percentage. Alexa Dowdell (So., MH, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS), Alida Holt (So., OH, Honolulu, HI/Roosevelt HS) and senior Taylor Gee (MH/OH, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) each had five kills for the Bearcats.

Bailey Kray (Sr., S, Corona Del Mar, CA/Mater Dei HS) started at setter for the Bearcats and finished with 10 assists.

Lucy Capron led all players with 17 kills on a .351 hitting percentage. Kylai Cooley also recorded double-digit kills with 10.

Willamette started the night out strong, jumping out to a 15-11 lead in the first set. PLU responded with a 14-9 run to finish off the first set, 25-20.

After dropping the second set, 25-18, the Bearcats countered with a much stronger performance in set three. Down 6-2, Willamette stormed back, knotting the set at 11 on a kill from senior Elisa Ahern (Sr., Opp, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS).

After PLU jumped ahead again, two consecutive kills by Holt brought Willamette back to within one. A kill by Capron extended PLU's lead to 16-14 before back-to-back kills by Fincher and Lum and a PLU attacking error gave Willamette a 17-16 lead.

After a Lutes timeout, PLU stormed back to score nine of the next 13 points for the 25-21 victory and the three-set sweep.

After the game, Willamette honored Ahern, Gee and Kray for their contributions to the WU volleyball program over the past four years.

The Bearcats will conclude their season on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. The match-time is set for 7 p.m.