George Fox Downs Bearcats, 3-1, in NWC Match
NEWBERG, ORE. -- George Fox University pounded out 50 kills in four sets, as the Bruins defeated visiting Willamette University, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Wheeler Sports Center. GFU upped its record to 7-8 overall, 2-4 in the NWC, while Willamette fell to 5-9 overall, 2-3 in the NWC.
Leenstra Registers Six Kills for Willamette
NEWBERG, ORE. -- George Fox University pounded out 50 kills in four sets, as the Bruins defeated visiting Willamette University, 3-1, in a Northwest Conference volleyball match on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Wheeler Sports Center. GFU upped its record to 7-8 overall, 2-4 in the NWC, while Willamette fell to 5-9 overall, 2-3 in the NWC.
George Fox won the match, 25-22, 25-8, 14-25, 25-22. Betsy Wilhelm led GFU with 12 kills and Stephanie Kerr provided the Bruins with 10 kills. GFU achieved a .147 team hitting percentage and held Willamette to a .073 percentage.
Mackenzie Teigen and Chelsea Wilson split the setting duties for GFU, with Teigen earning 24 assists and Wilson adding 20. Patti Reeves led the Bruins with 17 digs.
Madisyn Leenstra (Jr., MH/OH, Bellingham, WA/Sehome HS) topped Willamette's attack with six kills and a .375 hitting percentage. Taylor Ottomano (So., OH, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) provided WU with five kills, while three other Bearcats earned four kills apiece.
Kathy Lee Glenn (Jr., LIB/DS, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) registered 17 digs, while Elisa Ahern (Fr., OPP, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) achieved 14 digs. Setter Emily Compton (So., Portola, WA/Portola HS/Boise State Univ.) supplied 28 assists on Willamette's 30 kills.
The Bearcats attained 12.0 team total blocks with one block solo and 22 block assists. Carly Hargrave (So., MH, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) was credited with the only block solo and also earned a team-high five block assists. Shannon Waltz (so., MH, Honolulu, HI/La Pietra HS) finished with four block assists. Eight different Bearcats were involved in at least one block.
The first set was close throughout and the teams were tied 11 times. The last tie was at 17-17 and was followed by a 4-0 run from the Bruins. WU countered with three consecutive points -- the last two on kills by Ottomano -- to pull within 21-20. The Bearcats also got within a single point at 23-22 before a kill by Erin Campbell and a Willamette hitting error allowed GFU to win the set.
After the Bruins powered through the second set with 12 kills and a .440 hitting percentage, Willamette rallied for win in set #3.
WU trailed 6-5, but answered with a 7-0 run for a 12-6 advantage. Glenn served the final six points during the run and earned two service aces. Taylor Gee (Fr., OH, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) completed the surge with a kill.
The Bearcats maintained the lead over the remainder of the set for a 25-14 win. Leenstra recorded three kill, no attacking errors and a .600 hitting percentage during the set.
George Fox and Willamette battled throughout the fourth set, which included 10 ties and five lead changes. Willamette trailed 10-7, but recovered to tie the game at 11-11 and eventually took a 15-13 advantage.
Two consecutive points for the Bruins re-tied the score. GFU later held a 20-17 lead following a kill by Cassie Irwin. The Bearcats won three straight points of their own to tie the set at 20-20.
The teams also were event at 21-21, but the Bruins used a service ace by Kylee Anderson to start a 3-0 run. WU registered the next point on a combo block by Ottomano and Waltz to get within 24-22. GFU received the winning point on the next rally when WU committed an attacking error.
Willamette will play at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Oct. 1, starting at 7 p.m. (PDT). It will be the first meeting of the season between the Bearcats and the Pioneers.