Bearcats Improve to 3-1 with Sweep of Schreiner

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

SEGUIN, TEXAS -- Using a .263 team hitting percentage, Willamette University swept past Schreiner University (Texas), 25-17, 25-15, 25-17, at the Texas Lutheran University Bulldog Classic on Saturday, Aug. 30. Willamette upped its record to 3-1 to start the season, while Schreiner dropped to 0-4.

The Bearcats scored the first four points of the match and led 10-2 following a kill by Taylor Gee (Sr., MH/OH, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS). Schreiner crept back within 13-12 on a service ace by Alyssa Chapman, but WU scored the next two points to maintain the lead.

Willamette moved out to a 13-4 lead at the start of the second set, including four kills by Alexa Dowdell (So., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS). The Bearcats hit .400 during the set, while taking a 2-0 lead.

A strong rally in the third set allowed WU to close out the match. The Mountaineer took an 8-2 lead, but the Bearcats responded with a 14-4 run to take a 16-12 advantage following a service ace by Elisa Ahern (Sr., OPP, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS). Willamette pulled away for the 25-17 win.

Four Willamette players finished with six or more kills. Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) led the way with eight kills, while hitting .500 for the match. Gee contributed seven kills for the Bearcats. Dowdell and Riley Fawcett (So., OH, Normandy Park, WA/John F. Kennedy HS) each achieved six kills.

Lindsey Compton (Jr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) produced 29 assists. On defense, Peyton Wahl (Fr., DS/LIB, Richland, WA/Richland HS) registered 13 digs, while Compton earned 10. WU limited the Mountaineer to a .020 hitting percentage.

Schreiner's top performer was Alyssa Chapman, who supplied seven kill and five digs. Lauren McQueen earned six kills and six digs, while Kelli Bolen gained nine digs.

Willamette's next games will be at the Posada Royale Invitational, hosted by California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6. The Bearcats will play Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.), Occidental College (Calif.), Augustana College (Ill.) and the University of Redlands (Calif.).