Willamette Wins Tough Match with Loras 3-0, then Defeats Wells 3-0

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

NEWBERG, Ore. -- During the second day of the Oregon Trail Classic in volleyball on Saturday, Sept. 9, Willamette University edged out Loras College (Iowa) 3-0 in three consecutive close sets and then downed Wells College (N.Y.) 3-0. The Bearcats won the match with Loras, 27-25, 26-24, 25-21. WU moved past Wells, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17.

The matches on Saturday were held at George Fox University. Willamette's matches on Friday were hosted by Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

Willamette went 3-1 in the tournament and advanced its overall record to 5-2. On Friday, the Bearcats defeated West Coast Baptist College (Calif.) 3-0 before Schreiner University (Texas) downed the Bearcats, 3-1.

"Today we got contributions from a lot of players and played steady no matter the situation," said Willamette Head Volleyball Coach Lily Hallock. "That was really good to see after not playing to our potential yesterday."

Willamette 3, Loras 0

Against Loras, Olivia Cadien (Jr., OH, Mesa, AZ/Chandler Preparatory Academy) topped Willamette's offensive chart with 14 kills (4.67 kills per set) and recorded five of the team's 14 service aces. Syd Bowen (So., OH/OPP, Tigard, OR/Wilsonville HS) tacked on seven kills with only one attacking error to go along with a .500 hitting percentage. Sydney Locke (So., MB, Federal Way, WA/Decatur HS) and Katey Cramer (So., OH, Arroyo Grande, CA/Arroyo Grande HS/Cuesta College) each earned five kills for the Bearcats.

Setter Emma Porter (Grad., S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) provided 25 assists, registered nine digs, and supplied three kills with a .375 hitting percentage. Shyla Sato (Sr., LIB, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) continued her strong defensive play with a match-high 18 digs. Riley Cedergreen (So., DS, Nampa, ID/Liberty Charter School) contributed four service aces.

Willamette trailed Loras 24-22 in the first set, but a kill by Cadien and a service ace by Porter tied the score. Porter added another ace before a kill by Autumn Finch of the Duhawks tied the score again. The Bearcats received kills from Cadien and Bowen to win the set, 27-25.

During the second set, WU led 23-21 following an attacking error by Lora. The Duhawks went on a 3-0 run for a 24-23 lead. Locke provided a kill for the Bearcats to tie the score. Another attacking error by the Duhawks and a kill by Cadien propelled the Bearcats to a 26-24 victory.

In the third set, Willamette surged out to a 10-4 advantage that started with five consecutive points. Loras pulled within 14-11, but the Bearcats eventually led 21-16 on a kill by Bowen. The margin was reduced to 23-21 before a combo block by Bowen and Cramer, plus an attacking error by the Duhawks, allowed Willamette to close out the match by a score of 25-21.

Loras received 10 kills from Finch and six kills each from four other players. Sarah Hoskins amassed 26 assists and 14 digs. Jenna Bistline was credited with 12 digs. WU hit .217, while the Duhawks hit .183.

Willamette 3, Wells 0

Cramer pounded out 10 kills against Wells with just one error and a .500 hitting percentage. Bowen and Locke each tacked on eight kills, while Cadien and Caroline Jameson (So., OH/OPP, Everett, WA/Everett HS) both contributed six kills. Sato provided 14 digs. Porter earned 21 assists while Riley Teske (So., S, Shavano Park, TX/Tom C. Clark HS/Tyler Junior College) set up 13 kills.

The Bearcats and Wells were tied at 12-12 in the opening set, but WU responded with a 5-2 run for a 17-14 lead. Wells scored next on a kill from Alycia Wilson, and then Willamette put together a 7-1 run to increase the margin to 24-16. Bowen registered a kill to end the set.

In the second set with the Express there were 10 ties and five lead changes. As in the first set, the last tie was at 12-12 with Willamette moving in front on a serving error by Wells. Two more points gave WU a 15-12 edge. A bit later, the Bearcats grabbed a 20-14 edge on a kill by Jameson and went on to claim their second consecutive 25-17 win.

The same score was achieved in the third set. Willamette owned a slim 12-11 lead before the Bearcats went on a 7-2 run for a 19-14 advantage. Several rallies later, a kill by Tasha Tokairin (So., MB, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) gave WU a 24-16 margin. Wells scored the next point, but a kill by Cramer ended the match.

Lexi Carfi topped the Express with eight kills, while Elise Peacock earned six kills. Roosa Armstead-Lehti supplied Wells with 11 digs.

Willamette will begin the Northwest Conference schedule on Friday, Sept. 15 at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. PDT.