Willamette to Host Western Oregon in Volleyball on Tuesday, Sept. 9

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will play its home opener in volleyball on Tuesday, Sept. 9 when the Bearcats host Western Oregon University. Match time at Cone Field House is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).

The Bearcats are 5-3 on the season after splitting four matches at the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational this past weekend. Willamette defeated Occidental College (Calif.), 3-0, and downed the University of Redlands (Calif.), 3-1. Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) defeated Willamette, 3-1, and Augustana College (Ill.) outlasted the Bearcats, 3-1.

Overall, Willamette has averaged 10.5 kills per set this year. The Bearcats have been tough on defense, allowing opponents only a .129 hitting percentage. In addition, the Bearcats have amassed 58 team total blocks.

Sarah Fincher (Jr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) leads the attack with 98 kills (3.5 kills per set) and a .233 hitting percentage. Alexa Dowdell (So., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) follows with 55 kills (2.2 kills per set). Peyton Wahl has provided a team-high 115 digs (4.1 digs per set).

Lindsey Compton (Jr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) has been solid at the setter position. She is averaging 8.27 assists per set, while earning 2.96 digs per set. Emma Liband (Fr., MH, Sandpoint, ID/Sandpoint HS) tops WU with 17 total blocks (1.0 blocks per set).

Western Oregon is 0-3 on the season. The Wolves have been defeated by California State University-Los Angeles (3-1), Cal Poly Pomona (3-2), and California State University-Chico (3-0).

Hannah Deede and Cherene O'Hara are tied for the team lead with 24 kills apiece (2.0 kills per set). Jaryn Ramos leads the Wolves with 33 digs (3.3 digs per set), while Kiana Cash and Jordan Ramos have split setting duties. Cash is averaging 4.5 assists per set and Ramos is averaging 3.25.