Pomona-Pitzer Holds Off Willamette's Comeback as Sagehens Win, 3-2

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

CLAREMONT, CALIF. -- The Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) built a quick 2-0 lead, but had to hold off a tremendous rally by Willamette University, before edging the Bearcats, 3-2, on the first day of the Pacific Coast Classic on Friday, Sept. 2. Pomona-Pitzer won the first two sets, 25-17 and 25-19, before Willamette tied the match with a 34-32 win in Set #3 and a 25-15 triumph in Set #5. The Sagehens prevailed in the deciding set, 15-12.

Earlier in the day, Willamette dropped its season opener to Chapman University (Calif.), 3-0, during the initial slate of matches in the tournament. Chapman won, 25-14, 25-21, 25-21.

In the match with Chapman, Danica Reed (Jr., OH, Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS) led the Bearcats with nine kills. She also contributed five digs and one block assist. Taylor Ottomano (So., OH, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) added five kills, while Elizabeth Balding (so., LIB/DS, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) supplied six digs.

Kirsten Brehmer (So., MH/OPP, Evergreen, CO/Evergreen HS) provided WU with four kills, four block assists and five digs. Emily Compton (So., S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) earned 10 assists.

Willamette's comeback effort in the match with Pomona-Pitzer featured 13 kills by Carly Hargrave (So., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) and 10 kills by Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS). Hargrave also blocked five attacks by the Sagehens.

Elisa Ahern (Fr., OPP, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) chipped in eight kills and 11 digs for the Bearcats. Compton dished out 37 assists. Led by Hargrave's defensive effort at the net, Willamette finished the match with 8.5 team total blocks.

Complete statistics are not available at this time. They may not be available until late on Saturday or sometime on Sunday.

The Bearcats, 0-2, on the season, will conclude the tournament with two more matches on Saturday, Sept. 3. WU is scheduled to take on Lasell College (Mass.) at 10 a.m. (PDT) and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) at 12:15 p.m.