Willamette Falls to Puget Sound in Season Finale, 3-0

By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications DirectorBy John Lind, Student Assistant, Athletics Communications

SALEM, ORE.- The University of Puget Sound earned 34 kills in a three-set sweep of Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's volleyball matchup on Saturday, Nov. 5. Willamette ends their season at 8-17 (5-11 NWC). With the win, UPS moves to 18-6 (10-6 NWC).

UPS won the match, 25-21, 25-13, 25-15. Brynn Blickenstaff led the Loggers with 10 kills and a .409 hitting percentage. Erika Green earned 22 assists, while Juliette Witous led the defensive effort with 16 digs. The Loggers recorded four total blocks and limited Willamette to a .057 team hitting percentage

The Bearcats were led on offense once again by Danica Reed (Jr., OH, Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS) and Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/ Sehome HS). Reed and Leenstra tied for the team lead in kills with seven. Emily Compton (So., S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Boise State) earned 24 assists for Willamette, while Kathy Lee Glenn (Jr., LIB/DS, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) recorded a team-high 21 digs.

Puget Sound jumped out to a 17-9 lead in the first set, but Willamette battled back. Kirsten Brehmer (So., MH/OPP, Evergreen, CO/Evergreen HS) served the Bearcats to six straight points, making the score 17-15. That's as close as Willamette would get, however, as the Loggers pulled away to win the set.

The second and third sets were not as competitive. UPS held Willamette to team hitting percentages of -.025 in the second set and -.074 in the third set. The Bearcats recorded 15 kills in the first set, but only 13 in the following two sets.

Willamette ended the season in eight place in the Northwest conference. Leenstra led the team in kills on the season with 221. Compton finished the season with 724 assists, and Glenn provided the Bearcats with a team-leading 413 digs.